diff --git a/tempest/thirdparty/boto/test_ec2_instance_run.py b/tempest/thirdparty/boto/test_ec2_instance_run.py
index 19a77dc..b7f0e81 100644
--- a/tempest/thirdparty/boto/test_ec2_instance_run.py
+++ b/tempest/thirdparty/boto/test_ec2_instance_run.py
@@ -283,7 +283,17 @@
                                          CONF.compute.ssh_user,
                                          pkey=self.keypair.material)
         text = data_utils.rand_name("Pattern text for console output")
-        resp = ssh.write_to_console(text)
+        try:
+            resp = ssh.write_to_console(text)
+        except Exception:
+            if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output:
+                LOG.debug('Console output not supported, cannot log')
+            else:
+                console_output = instance.get_console_output().output
+                LOG.debug('Console output for %s\nbody=\n%s',
+                          instance.id, console_output)
+            raise
+
         self.assertFalse(resp)
 
         def _output():