diff --git a/spa/plugins/alsa/test-timer.c b/spa/plugins/alsa/test-timer.c
index bd521cfbf..caa6b25e2 100644
--- a/spa/plugins/alsa/test-timer.c
+++ b/spa/plugins/alsa/test-timer.c
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	 * this can be done in a poll loop as well */
 	while (true) {
 		uint64_t expirations;
-		read(state.timerfd, &expirations, sizeof(expirations));
+		CHECK(read(state.timerfd, &expirations, sizeof(expirations)), "read");
 		on_timer_wakeup(&state);
 	}