diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-build.yml b/.github/workflows/test-build.yml
index b1a0e2f..d9cadfa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-build.yml
@@ -93,10 +93,20 @@ jobs:
         DEBOOTSTRAP: ${{matrix.debootstrap}}
 
     - run: ./tests/build-vm-and-test.sh test
+      id: build_vm_and_test_test
       name: "Test built VM image for ${{matrix.release}}"
       env:
         RELEASE: ${{matrix.release}}
 
+    - name: Archive VM image on failure
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      if: always() && (steps.build_vm_and_test_test.outcome == 'failure')
+      with:
+        name: vm-image-${{matrix.host_release}}-${{matrix.release}}-${{matrix.debootstrap}}
+        if-no-files-found: error
+        path: qemu.img
+        retention-days: 5
+
     - name: Archive VM test results
       uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
       if: always()