diff --git a/lib/adt_testbed.py b/lib/adt_testbed.py
index 6d1f387..2020cf9 100644
--- a/lib/adt_testbed.py
+++ b/lib/adt_testbed.py
@@ -537,6 +537,9 @@ Description: satisfy autopkgtest test dependencies
                             'that your testbed is out of date with respect to the '
                             'archive, and you need to use a current testbed or run '
                             'apt-get update or use -U.')
+
+                if shell_on_failure:
+                    self.run_shell()
             break
 
         # remove adt-satdep to avoid confusing tests, but avoid marking our