diff --git a/video/filter/vf.c b/video/filter/vf.c
index 562f6e8971..31ad340bae 100644
--- a/video/filter/vf.c
+++ b/video/filter/vf.c
@@ -258,6 +258,7 @@ static struct vf_instance *vf_open(struct MPOpts *opts, vf_instance_t *next,
     return vf;
 
 error:
+    mp_msg(MSGT_VFILTER, MSGL_ERR, "Creating filter '%s' failed.\n", name);
     talloc_free(vf);
     return NULL;
 }