diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
index 03172d73a2..09d4d6c9f2 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
@@ -275,11 +275,8 @@ impl Command for External {
         );
 
         let mut child = child.map_err(|err| {
-            IoError::new_internal(
-                err,
-                "Could not spawn foreground child",
-                nu_protocol::location!(),
-            )
+            let context = format!("Could not spawn foreground child: {err}");
+            IoError::new_internal(err, context, nu_protocol::location!())
         })?;
 
         if let Some(thread_job) = engine_state.current_thread_job() {