diff --git a/src/subcommand/env.rs b/src/subcommand/env.rs
index bb04dcf387..53f4c1863f 100644
--- a/src/subcommand/env.rs
+++ b/src/subcommand/env.rs
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@ rpcport={bitcoind_port}
       Command::new("bitcoind")
         .arg(format!("-conf={}", absolute.join("bitcoin.conf").display()))
         .stdout(Stdio::null())
-        .spawn()?,
+        .spawn()
+        .expect("failed to start bitcoind"),
     );
 
     loop {