diff --git a/tests/ssl-opt.sh b/tests/ssl-opt.sh
index b9652ef42..d3ab3bba1 100755
--- a/tests/ssl-opt.sh
+++ b/tests/ssl-opt.sh
@@ -676,6 +676,7 @@ run_test() {
         # terminate the server (and the proxy)
         kill $SRV_PID
         wait $SRV_PID
+        SRV_RET=$?
 
         if [ -n "$PXY_CMD" ]; then
             kill $PXY_PID >/dev/null 2>&1
@@ -710,8 +711,8 @@ run_test() {
     fi
 
     # check server exit code
-    if [ $? != 0 ]; then
-        fail "server fail"
+    if [ $SRV_RET != 0 ]; then
+        fail "Server exited with status $SRV_RET"
         return
     fi