diff --git a/lbry/file_analysis.py b/lbry/file_analysis.py
index 0a9476b65..d0e99c47c 100644
--- a/lbry/file_analysis.py
+++ b/lbry/file_analysis.py
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@ class VideoFileAnalyzer:
         try:
             version, code = await self._execute(name, "-version")
         except Exception as e:
-            log.warning("Unable to run %s, but it was requested. Message: %s", name, str(e))
             code = -1
-            version = ""
+            version = str(e)
         if code != 0 or not version.startswith(name):
+            log.warning("Unable to run %s, but it was requested. Code: %d; Message: %s", name, code, version)
             raise FileNotFoundError(f"Unable to locate or run {name}. Please install FFmpeg "
                                     f"and ensure that it is callable via PATH or conf.ffmpeg_folder")
         return version
diff --git a/tests/integration/other/test_transcoding.py b/tests/integration/other/test_transcoding.py
index 60cad7992..08ea9fe00 100644
--- a/tests/integration/other/test_transcoding.py
+++ b/tests/integration/other/test_transcoding.py
@@ -93,6 +93,11 @@ class TranscodeValidation(ClaimTestCase):
         fixed_file = await self.analyzer.verify_or_repair(True, True, file_name)
         pathlib.Path(fixed_file).unlink()
 
+    async def test_max_bit_rate(self):
+        self.conf.video_bitrate_maximum = 100
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(Exception, "The bit rate is above the configured maximum"):
+            await self.analyzer.verify_or_repair(True, False, self.video_file_name)
+
     async def test_video_format(self):
         file_name = self.make_name("bad_video_format_1")
         if not file_name.exists():