diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index fecda6d..cfb293a 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -6,3 +6,5 @@ ACLOCAL_AMFLAGS = -I m4
 
 include_HEADERS = include/gf_complete.h include/gf_method.h include/gf_rand.h include/gf_general.h
 
+# display the output of failed TESTS after a failed make check
+export VERBOSE = true