diff --git a/extras/strfry/ldap-policy.ts b/extras/strfry/ldap-policy.ts
index 84f3ca8..a8f5646 100644
--- a/extras/strfry/ldap-policy.ts
+++ b/extras/strfry/ldap-policy.ts
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ export class LdapPolicy implements NPolicy {
         out['accept'] = false;
         out['msg'] = 'Only members can publish notes on this relay';
       }
-    } catch (ex) {
+    } catch (e) {
       out['accept'] = false;
-      out['msg'] = 'Auth service temporarily unavailable';
+      out['msg'] = `Auth service temporarily unavailable: ${e.message}`;
     } finally {
       await client.unbind();
       return ['OK', id, out['accept'], out['msg']];