diff --git a/src/kit/shell/src/shellEngine.c b/src/kit/shell/src/shellEngine.c
index 277dc45f8e..1d1ca1c42b 100644
--- a/src/kit/shell/src/shellEngine.c
+++ b/src/kit/shell/src/shellEngine.c
@@ -765,7 +765,9 @@ void read_history() {
   FILE *f = fopen(f_history, "r");
   if (f == NULL) {
 #ifndef WINDOWS
-    fprintf(stderr, "Failed to open file %s\n", f_history);
+    if (errno != ENOENT) {
+      fprintf(stderr, "Failed to open file %s, reason:%s\n", f_history, strerror(errno));
+    }
 #endif    
     return;
   }
@@ -792,7 +794,7 @@ void write_history() {
   FILE *f = fopen(f_history, "w");
   if (f == NULL) {
 #ifndef WINDOWS    
-    fprintf(stderr, "Failed to open file %s for write\n", f_history);
+    fprintf(stderr, "Failed to open file %s for write, reason:%s\n", f_history, strerror(errno));
 #endif    
     return;
   }