diff --git a/services/pressbooks.sh b/services/pressbooks.sh
index 9008ee0..54b3f5d 100644
--- a/services/pressbooks.sh
+++ b/services/pressbooks.sh
@@ -641,8 +641,12 @@ PBENV
     log_success "Pressbooks configured at $DIR (port $WEB_PORT)"
     log_info "Building image (first build downloads PrinceXML and cover-generator packages — can take a few minutes)..."
 
-    if ! docker compose build && docker compose up -d; then
-        log_error "Failed to build/start — check: docker compose logs"
+    if ! docker compose build; then
+        log_error "Image build failed — check the output above."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    if ! docker compose up -d; then
+        log_error "Failed to start — check: docker compose logs"
         return 1
     fi