diff --git a/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py b/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py
index be94becaf..689484c25 100644
--- a/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py
+++ b/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ class SMBExploiter(HostExploiter):
 
         if not self.exploit_result.exploitation_success:
             logger.debug("Exploiter SmbExec is giving up...")
+            self.exploit_result.error_message = "Failed to authenticate to the victim over SMB"
             return self.exploit_result
 
         # execute the remote dropper in case the path isn't final