diff --git a/heat/engine/resources/instance.py b/heat/engine/resources/instance.py
index 2b2376a0de..11d99de89f 100644
--- a/heat/engine/resources/instance.py
+++ b/heat/engine/resources/instance.py
@@ -323,10 +323,13 @@ class Instance(resource.Resource):
                 volume_attach.start()
                 return volume_attach.done()
             elif server.status == 'ERROR':
+                fault = server.fault or {}
+                message = fault.get('message', 'Unknown')
+                code = fault.get('code', 500)
                 delete = scheduler.TaskRunner(self._delete_server, server)
                 delete(wait_time=0.2)
-                exc = exception.Error("Build of server %s failed." %
-                                      server.name)
+                exc = exception.Error("Build of server %s failed: %s (%s)" %
+                                      (server.name, message, code))
                 raise exc
             else:
                 exc = exception.Error('%s instance[%s] status[%s]' %
diff --git a/heat/tests/test_instance.py b/heat/tests/test_instance.py
index bb8f031268..8a07c346e2 100644
--- a/heat/tests/test_instance.py
+++ b/heat/tests/test_instance.py
@@ -225,6 +225,11 @@ class InstancesTest(HeatTestCase):
         instance = self._create_test_instance(return_server,
                                               'test_instance_create')
         return_server.status = 'ERROR'
+        return_server.fault = {
+            'message': 'NoValidHost',
+            'code': 500,
+            'created': '2013-08-14T03:12:10Z'
+        }
         self.m.StubOutWithMock(return_server, 'get')
         return_server.get()
         return_server.get().AndRaise(