diff --git a/tests/fail2ban.py b/tests/fail2ban.py
index a00a4ca4..2dc4bc9f 100644
--- a/tests/fail2ban.py
+++ b/tests/fail2ban.py
@@ -199,7 +199,8 @@ def run_test(testfunc, args, count, within_seconds, parallel):
 
 	# Did we make enough requests within the limit?
 	if (time.time()-start_time) > within_seconds:
-		raise Exception(f"Test failed to make {count} requests in {within_seconds:d} seconds.")
+		msg = f"Test failed to make {count} requests in {within_seconds:d} seconds."
+		raise Exception(msg)
 
 	# Wait a moment for the block to be put into place.
 	time.sleep(4)