diff --git a/idl/storage_service.idl.hh b/idl/storage_service.idl.hh
index 8c5a1c9b7a..79766f65c0 100644
--- a/idl/storage_service.idl.hh
+++ b/idl/storage_service.idl.hh
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ struct raft_topology_cmd_result {
         success
     };
     service::raft_topology_cmd_result::command_status status;
+    sstring error_message [[version 2026.2]];
 };
 
 struct raft_snapshot {
diff --git a/service/storage_service.cc b/service/storage_service.cc
index 6b264b8e04..cd91d82287 100644
--- a/service/storage_service.cc
+++ b/service/storage_service.cc
@@ -4792,8 +4792,13 @@ future<raft_topology_cmd_result> storage_service::raft_topology_cmd_handler(raft
         }
     } catch (const raft::request_aborted& e) {
         rtlogger.warn("raft_topology_cmd {} failed with: {}", cmd.cmd, e);
+        result.error_message = e.what();
+    } catch (const std::exception& e) {
+        rtlogger.error("raft_topology_cmd {} failed with: {}", cmd.cmd, e);
+        result.error_message = e.what();
     } catch (...) {
         rtlogger.error("raft_topology_cmd {} failed with: {}", cmd.cmd, std::current_exception());
+        result.error_message = "unknown error";
     }
 
     rtlogger.info("topology cmd rpc {} completed with status={} index={}",
diff --git a/service/topology_coordinator.cc b/service/topology_coordinator.cc
index 05d987b98f..3b19328c35 100644
--- a/service/topology_coordinator.cc
+++ b/service/topology_coordinator.cc
@@ -443,8 +443,11 @@ class topology_coordinator : public endpoint_lifecycle_subscriber
                     co_await ser::storage_service_rpc_verbs::send_raft_topology_cmd(
                             &_messaging, to_host_id(id), id, _term, cmd_index, cmd);
         if (result.status == raft_topology_cmd_result::command_status::fail) {
+            auto msg = result.error_message.empty()
+                ? ::format("failed status returned from {}", id)
+                : ::format("failed status returned from {}: {}", id, result.error_message);
             co_await coroutine::exception(std::make_exception_ptr(
-                    std::runtime_error(::format("failed status returned from {}", id))));
+                    std::runtime_error(std::move(msg))));
         }
     };
 
@@ -3909,10 +3912,15 @@ class topology_coordinator : public endpoint_lifecycle_subscriber
                     throw;
                 } catch (seastar::abort_requested_exception&) {
                     throw;
+                } catch (const std::exception& e) {
+                    rtlogger.error("send_raft_topology_cmd(stream_ranges) failed with exception"
+                                    " (node state is rebuilding): {}", e);
+                    rtbuilder.done(e.what());
+                    retake = true;
                 } catch (...) {
                     rtlogger.error("send_raft_topology_cmd(stream_ranges) failed with exception"
                                     " (node state is rebuilding): {}", std::current_exception());
-                    rtbuilder.done("streaming failed");
+                    rtbuilder.done("unknown error");
                     retake = true;
                 }
                 if (retake) {
diff --git a/service/topology_state_machine.hh b/service/topology_state_machine.hh
index 1379d728b8..b5344b300e 100644
--- a/service/topology_state_machine.hh
+++ b/service/topology_state_machine.hh
@@ -318,6 +318,9 @@ struct raft_topology_cmd_result {
         success
     };
     command_status status = command_status::fail;
+    // Carries the error description back to the topology coordinator
+    // when the command fails.
+    sstring error_message;
 };
 
 // This class is used in RPC's signatures to hold the topology_version of the caller.