diff --git a/test/vdl/test-vdl-native.js b/test/vdl/test-vdl-native.js
index 306b9e7..da9ed7c 100644
--- a/test/vdl/test-vdl-native.js
+++ b/test/vdl/test-vdl-native.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
   var expectedTime = new Date(2012,11,15, 8,15,20, 453);
   assert.ok(time.D instanceof Date, 'constant should be a date');
   var diff = Math.abs(expectedTime - time.D);
-  assert.ok(diff < 1, 'constant should be right date');
+  assert.ok(diff < 1, 'constant should be right date got' + time.D +
+   ' expected ' + expectedTime + ' (diff was ' + diff + ')');
   assert.end();
 });