diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 57ed0d22..605bee51 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 - Process nodes.conf path dynamically from config. #1595, #1596, #1569
 - Split overlays into distribution and site overlays. #831
 - Added note to booting userdoc for removing machine-id. #1609
+- Log cpio errors more prominently. #1615
 
 ### Removed
 
diff --git a/internal/pkg/util/util.go b/internal/pkg/util/util.go
index ff01674d..bf57fed4 100644
--- a/internal/pkg/util/util.go
+++ b/internal/pkg/util/util.go
@@ -374,8 +374,10 @@ func CpioCreate(
 	}()
 
 	out, err := proc.CombinedOutput()
-	if len(out) > 0 {
-		wwlog.Debug(string(out))
+	if err != nil {
+		wwlog.Error("cpio failed: %s", out)
+	} else if len(out) > 0 {
+		wwlog.Debug("cpio: %s", out)
 	}
 
 	return FirstError(err, <-err_in)