diff --git a/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.launch/src/org/eclipse/cdt/launch/AbstractCLaunchDelegate.java b/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.launch/src/org/eclipse/cdt/launch/AbstractCLaunchDelegate.java
index dfe9ea38ec3..b2e5db44706 100644
--- a/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.launch/src/org/eclipse/cdt/launch/AbstractCLaunchDelegate.java
+++ b/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.launch/src/org/eclipse/cdt/launch/AbstractCLaunchDelegate.java
@@ -79,6 +79,10 @@ abstract public class AbstractCLaunchDelegate implements ILaunchConfigurationDel
 	 * @param code error code
 	 */
 	protected void abort(String message, Throwable exception, int code) throws CoreException {
+		String newMessage = message;
+		if ( exception != null ) {
+			newMessage = message + " : " + exception.getLocalizedMessage();
+		}
 		throw new CoreException(new Status(IStatus.ERROR, getPluginID(), code, message, exception));
 	}