diff --git a/src/util/util.c b/src/util/util.c
index ba6b0dbbca354403276f0fbca916dc04b7b38a69..45ca65750aac0597c21151e1daa4acf6a384e851 100644
--- a/src/util/util.c
+++ b/src/util/util.c
@@ -557,8 +557,11 @@ __virExec(virConnectPtr conn,
     }
 
     if (hook)
-        if ((hook)(data) != 0)
+        if ((hook)(data) != 0) {
+            VIR_DEBUG0("Hook function failed.");
+            virDispatchError(NULL);
             _exit(1);
+        }
 
     /* The steps above may need todo something privileged, so
      * we delay clearing capabilities until the last minute */