diff --git a/client/server/server_privileged_test.go b/client/server/server_privileged_test.go
index 549631073..1f8a35c1e 100644
--- a/client/server/server_privileged_test.go
+++ b/client/server/server_privileged_test.go
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func startSignal(t *testing.T) (*grpc.Server, string, error) {
 
 	lis, err := net.Listen("tcp", "localhost:0")
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("failed to listen: %v", err)
+		return nil, "", err
 	}
 
 	srv, err := signalServer.NewServer(context.Background(), otel.Meter(""))