diff --git a/cmd/budgeteer/main.go b/cmd/budgeteer/main.go
index 208d455..71b6eb1 100644
--- a/cmd/budgeteer/main.go
+++ b/cmd/budgeteer/main.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"io/fs"
 	"log"
 	"net/http"
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ func main() {
 
 	tokenVerifier, err := jwt.NewTokenVerifier(cfg.SessionSecret)
 	if err != nil {
-		panic("couldn't create token verifier")
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("couldn't create token verifier: %w", err))
 	}
 
 	handler := &server.Handler{