diff --git a/iperf/iperf_functions.py b/iperf/iperf_functions.py
index d15a368..92f4afd 100644
--- a/iperf/iperf_functions.py
+++ b/iperf/iperf_functions.py
@@ -91,10 +91,12 @@ def collect_iperf(
                 if result.returncode != 0:
                     print(f"Error running iperf3: {result.stderr}")
                     output = ""
+                    error = result.stderr
 
             except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
                 print(f"iPerf test timed out after {timeout} seconds.")
                 output = ""
+                error = f"iPerf test timed out after {timeout} seconds."
 
             sender_bitrate, receiver_bitrate = parse_iperf_output(output)
 
@@ -113,7 +115,7 @@ def collect_iperf(
                 "stations": stations,
             }
             if output == "":
-                data["error"] = f"Test exceeded timeout of {timeout}s"
+                data["error"] = error
             else:
                 print(f"\n{server_ip} {test_type} IPERF complete")
                 print(f"IPERF sender bitrate:    {sender_bitrate}")