diff --git a/xbps-src/libexec/xbps-src-doinst-helper.sh.in b/xbps-src/libexec/xbps-src-doinst-helper.sh.in
index 2423276953f..4b642325c5b 100644
--- a/xbps-src/libexec/xbps-src-doinst-helper.sh.in
+++ b/xbps-src/libexec/xbps-src-doinst-helper.sh.in
@@ -200,8 +200,12 @@ make_install()
 	#
 	# Install package via make.
 	#
-	${make_cmd} ${make_install_target} ${make_install_args} \
-		|| msg_error "Package '$pkgname ($lver)': make install failed!"
+	${make_cmd} ${make_install_target} ${make_install_args}
+	if [ $? -ne 0 -a -f ${wrksrc}/.xbps_make_install.log ]; then
+		msg_red "Package '$pkgname ($lver)': make install failed! full log below:"
+		cat ${wrksrc}/.xbps_make_install.log
+		exit 1
+	fi
 }
 
 [ -z "$PKG_TMPLNAME" ] && exit 2