diff --git a/src/coverlet.msbuild.tasks/CoverageResultTask.cs b/src/coverlet.msbuild.tasks/CoverageResultTask.cs
index d4c96517e..e201d7433 100644
--- a/src/coverlet.msbuild.tasks/CoverageResultTask.cs
+++ b/src/coverlet.msbuild.tasks/CoverageResultTask.cs
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public override bool Execute()
 
                 double average = total / result.Modules.Count;
                 if (average < _threshold)
-                    return false;
+                    throw new Exception($"Overall average coverage '{average}%' is lower than specified threshold '{_threshold}%'");
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {