diff --git a/internal/vm/lifecycle.go b/internal/vm/lifecycle.go
index 1fb6acd..35b6fa9 100644
--- a/internal/vm/lifecycle.go
+++ b/internal/vm/lifecycle.go
@@ -111,12 +111,14 @@ func Start(cfg *config.Config, reg *workspace.Registry) mo.Result[struct{}] {
 	logging.Info(fmt.Sprintf("Starting QEMU with %d mounts...", len(mounts)))
 
 	cmd := exec.Command("qemu-system-x86_64", args...)
-	cmd.Stdout = nil
-	cmd.Stderr = nil
 	cmd.Stdin = nil
 
-	if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
 		vfsManager.StopAll()
+		if len(output) > 0 {
+			return mo.Err[struct{}](fmt.Errorf("failed to start QEMU: %w\n\nQEMU output:\n%s", err, string(output)))
+		}
 		return mo.Err[struct{}](fmt.Errorf("failed to start QEMU: %w\n\nTry running 'qvm doctor' to diagnose the issue.", err))
 	}