diff --git a/sdl.c b/sdl.c
index 1d1e1001e6..4c00e9a7eb 100644
--- a/sdl.c
+++ b/sdl.c
@@ -112,7 +112,8 @@ static void do_sdl_resize(int new_width, int new_height, int bpp)
     height = new_height;
     real_screen = SDL_SetVideoMode(width, height, bpp, flags);
     if (!real_screen) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "Could not open SDL display\n");
+	fprintf(stderr, "Could not open SDL display (%dx%dx%d): %s\n", width, 
+		height, bpp, SDL_GetError());
         exit(1);
     }
 }