diff --git a/tests/python_tests/load_map_test.py b/tests/python_tests/load_map_test.py
index 75d6112a5..9296a4644 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/load_map_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/load_map_test.py
@@ -45,14 +45,14 @@ def test_good_files():
     for filename in good_files:
         try:
             m = mapnik.Map(512, 512)
-            strict = False
+            strict = True
             mapnik.load_map(m, filename, strict)
             base_path = os.path.dirname(filename)
             mapnik.load_map_from_string(m,open(filename,'rb').read(),strict,base_path)
         except RuntimeError, e:
             # only test datasources that we have installed
             if not 'Could not create datasource' in str(e):
-                failures.append('Failed to load valid map (%s)!' % filename)
+                failures.append('Failed to load valid map %s (%s)' % (filename,e))
     eq_(len(failures),0,'\n'+'\n'.join(failures))
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":