diff --git a/bin/tests/system/run.sh b/bin/tests/system/run.sh
index 337ace9e34..38221c31c9 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/run.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/run.sh
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ shift
 
 test -d $test || { echo "$0: $test: no such test" >&2; exit 1; }
 
-test -f /var/run/system_test_ifsetup || { echo "Interfaces not set up." >&2 \
+test -f /var/run/system_test_ifsetup || { echo "I:Interfaces not set up.  Not trying system tests." >&2 \
     ; exit 1; }
 
 # Set up any dynamically generated test data
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/start.sh b/bin/tests/system/start.sh
index 3aaf058f18..43fa155e7f 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/start.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/start.sh
@@ -42,8 +42,14 @@ do
 	    fi
 	fi
 	$NAMED -c named.conf -d 99 -g >named.run 2>&1 &
+	x=1
 	while test ! -f named.pid
 	do
+	    x=`expr $x + 1`
+	    if [ $x = 5 ]; then
+		echo "I: Couldn't start servers!"
+		exit 1
+	    fi
 	    sleep 1
         done
     )