diff --git a/test/e2e/framework.go b/test/e2e/framework.go
index f5e00d469..d134de74c 100644
--- a/test/e2e/framework.go
+++ b/test/e2e/framework.go
@@ -1625,10 +1625,10 @@ func (data *TestData) copyNodeFiles(nodeName, fileName, covDir, covPrefix string
 	cmd := fmt.Sprintf("cat %s", fileName)
 	fmt.Println("_______________ copyNodeFiles: cat command set")
 	rc, stdout, _, err := data.RunCommandOnNode(nodeName, cmd)
-	if err != nil || rc != 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error in copyNodeFiles: %v \nreturn code: %d", err, rc)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error in copyNodeFiles: %v", err)
 	}
-	if stdout == "" {
+	if rc != 0 || stdout == "" {
 		fmt.Printf("_______________ copyNodeFiles: cat command stdout empty\n")
 		os.Remove(w.Name())
 		return nil