diff --git a/zuul/executor/server.py b/zuul/executor/server.py
index b49f9a0f70..c6b86a3791 100644
--- a/zuul/executor/server.py
+++ b/zuul/executor/server.py
@@ -2389,7 +2389,10 @@ class AnsibleJob(object):
                     idx += 1
                 if idx < BUFFER_LINES_FOR_SYNTAX:
                     syntax_buffer.append(line)
-                line = line[:1024].rstrip()
+
+                if not line.startswith(b'fatal'):
+                    line = line[:1024].rstrip()
+
                 ansible_log.debug("Ansible output: %s" % (line,))
             self.log.debug("Ansible output terminated")
             try: