diff --git a/api/commands.py b/api/commands.py
index c4f2c9edbb..93855bc3b8 100644
--- a/api/commands.py
+++ b/api/commands.py
@@ -739,8 +739,10 @@ def upgrade_db():
 
             click.echo(click.style("Database migration successful!", fg="green"))
 
-        except Exception:
+        except Exception as e:
             logger.exception("Failed to execute database migration")
+            click.echo(click.style(f"Database migration failed: {e}", fg="red"))
+            raise SystemExit(1)
         finally:
             lock.release()
     else: