diff --git a/compiler/tests/org/jetbrains/jet/JetTestUtils.java b/compiler/tests/org/jetbrains/jet/JetTestUtils.java
index 6a4d44b65bd..59f6207f9ee 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/org/jetbrains/jet/JetTestUtils.java
+++ b/compiler/tests/org/jetbrains/jet/JetTestUtils.java
@@ -153,6 +153,9 @@ public class JetTestUtils {
             return;
         }
         if (!file.mkdirs()) {
+            if (file.exists()) {
+                throw new IOException("failed to create " + file + " file exists and not a directory");
+            }
             throw new IOException();
         }
     }