diff --git a/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_sbsaref.py b/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_sbsaref.py
index 93bb528338..ddcc9493a6 100755
--- a/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_sbsaref.py
+++ b/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_sbsaref.py
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ class Aarch64RMESbsaRefMachine(QemuSystemTest):
 
         self.vm.launch()
         # Wait for host VM boot to complete.
-        wait_for_console_pattern(self, 'Welcome to Buildroot')
+        wait_for_console_pattern(self, 'Welcome to Buildroot',
+                                 failure_message='Synchronous Exception at')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'root', '#')
 
         test_realms_guest(self)
diff --git a/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_virt.py b/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_virt.py
index 42b9229b4c..38e01721a4 100755
--- a/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_virt.py
+++ b/tests/functional/test_aarch64_rme_virt.py
@@ -89,7 +89,8 @@ class Aarch64RMEVirtMachine(QemuSystemTest):
 
         self.vm.launch()
         # Wait for host VM boot to complete.
-        wait_for_console_pattern(self, 'Welcome to Buildroot')
+        wait_for_console_pattern(self, 'Welcome to Buildroot',
+                                 failure_message='Synchronous Exception at')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'root', '#')
 
         test_realms_guest(self)