diff --git a/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/plugin/kotlin/KotlinPlugin.kt b/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/plugin/kotlin/KotlinPlugin.kt
index 4433650f..6bff50ac 100644
--- a/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/plugin/kotlin/KotlinPlugin.kt
+++ b/src/main/kotlin/com/beust/kobalt/plugin/kotlin/KotlinPlugin.kt
@@ -128,6 +128,9 @@ class KotlinPlugin @Inject constructor(val executors: KobaltExecutors,
                     }
 
             lp(project, "Compilation " + if (result.success) "succeeded" else "failed")
+            if (! result.success && result.errorMessage != null) {
+                lp(project, result.errorMessage!!)
+            }
             return result
         }
     }