diff --git a/tests/cli/basictx.sh b/tests/cli/basictx.sh
index 0f2eb7803a..55e518819d 100755
--- a/tests/cli/basictx.sh
+++ b/tests/cli/basictx.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ oneTimeSetUp() {
 
   # start basecoin server (with counter)
   initServer $BASE_DIR $CHAIN_ID 3456
-  PID_SERVER=$!
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
 
   initClient $CHAIN_ID 34567
 
diff --git a/tests/cli/common.sh b/tests/cli/common.sh
index d39355fe05..5338a29ce6 100644
--- a/tests/cli/common.sh
+++ b/tests/cli/common.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ initServer() {
   echo "Starting ${SERVER_EXE} server..."
   ${SERVER_EXE} start --home=$SERVE_DIR >>$SERVER_LOG 2>&1 &
   sleep 5
+  PID_SERVER=$!
+  if ! ps $PID_SERVER >/dev/null; then
+    echo "**FAILED**"
+    # cat $SERVER_LOG
+    # return 1
+  fi
 }
 
 # initClient requires chain_id arg, port is optional (default 46657)
diff --git a/tests/cli/counter.sh b/tests/cli/counter.sh
index 599f511297..f09a260b76 100755
--- a/tests/cli/counter.sh
+++ b/tests/cli/counter.sh
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ oneTimeSetUp() {
 
   # start basecoin server (with counter)
   initServer $BASE_DIR $CHAIN_ID 1234
-  PID_SERVER=$!
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
 
   initClient $CHAIN_ID 12347
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
 
   echo "...Testing may begin!"
   echo
diff --git a/tests/cli/ibc.sh b/tests/cli/ibc.sh
index f7c870333a..5d8758fc36 100755
--- a/tests/cli/ibc.sh
+++ b/tests/cli/ibc.sh
@@ -33,15 +33,19 @@ oneTimeSetUp() {
 
   # start basecoin server, giving money to the key in the first client
   BC_HOME=${CLIENT_1} initServer $BASE_DIR_1 $CHAIN_ID_1 $PREFIX_1
-  PID_SERVER_1=$!
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
+  PID_SERVER_1=$PID_SERVER
 
   # start second basecoin server, giving money to the key in the second client
   BC_HOME=${CLIENT_2} initServer $BASE_DIR_2 $CHAIN_ID_2 $PREFIX_2
-  PID_SERVER_2=$!
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
+  PID_SERVER_2=$PID_SERVER
 
   # connect both clients
   BC_HOME=${CLIENT_1} initClient $CHAIN_ID_1 $PORT_1
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
   BC_HOME=${CLIENT_2} initClient $CHAIN_ID_2 $PORT_2
+  if [ $? != 0 ]; then return 1; fi
 
   echo "...Testing may begin!"
   echo