diff --git a/alsactl/info.c b/alsactl/info.c
index 1d648d87..31b32945 100644
--- a/alsactl/info.c
+++ b/alsactl/info.c
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ static int pcm_device_list(snd_ctl_t *ctl, snd_pcm_stream_t stream, bool *first)
 	streamfirst = true;
 	while (1) {
 		if ((err = snd_ctl_pcm_next_device(ctl, &dev)) < 0) {
-			error("snd_ctl_pcm_next_device");
+			error("snd_ctl_pcm_next_device: %s", snd_strerror(err));
 			return err;
 		}
 		if (dev < 0)
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ static int rawmidi_device_list(snd_ctl_t *ctl, snd_rawmidi_stream_t stream, bool
 	streamfirst = true;
 	while (1) {
 		if ((err = snd_ctl_rawmidi_next_device(ctl, &dev)) < 0) {
-			error("snd_ctl_rawmidi_next_device");
+			error("snd_ctl_rawmidi_next_device: %s", snd_strerror(err));
 			return err;
 		}
 		if (dev < 0)