diff --git a/src/video/SDL_video.c b/src/video/SDL_video.c
index f9e778be0..8dca27c63 100644
--- a/src/video/SDL_video.c
+++ b/src/video/SDL_video.c
@@ -661,6 +661,7 @@ SDL_Surface * SDL_SetVideoMode (int width, int height, int bpp, Uint32 flags)
 	    /* Sam - If we asked for OpenGL mode, and didn't get it, fail */
 	    if ( is_opengl && !(mode->flags & SDL_OPENGL) ) {
 		mode = NULL;
+		SDL_SetError("OpenGL not available");
 	    }
 	}
 	/*