diff --git a/Tools/autotest/common.py b/Tools/autotest/common.py
index e710eb665f..43abeac834 100644
--- a/Tools/autotest/common.py
+++ b/Tools/autotest/common.py
@@ -5817,7 +5817,6 @@ Also, ignores heartbeats not from our target system'''
             self.context_pop()
         except Exception as e:
             self.print_exception_caught(e, send_statustext=False)
-            self.progress("Not alive after test", send_statustext=False)
             passed = False
 
         ardupilot_alive = False
@@ -5826,6 +5825,7 @@ Also, ignores heartbeats not from our target system'''
             ardupilot_alive = True
         except Exception:
             # process is dead
+            self.progress("Not alive after test", send_statustext=False)
             passed = False
             reset_needed = True