diff --git a/test/api.jl b/test/api.jl
index 244b929a11..1228de365f 100644
--- a/test/api.jl
+++ b/test/api.jl
@@ -336,7 +336,16 @@ end
             Pkg.precompile(io=iob)
             @test occursin("Precompiling", String(take!(iob)))
             Pkg.precompile(io=iob) # should be a no-op
-            @test !occursin("Precompiling", String(take!(iob)))
+            if !occursin("Precompiling", String(take!(iob)))
+                @test true
+            else
+                # helpful for debugging why on CI
+                withenv(“JULIA_DEBUG” => loading) do
+                    Pkg.precompile(io=iob)
+                    println(String(take!(iob))
+                    @test false
+                end
+            end
         end end
     end
 end