diff --git a/scripts/dev/realtime-talk-live-smoke.ts b/scripts/dev/realtime-talk-live-smoke.ts
index 7870f75b2df1..d9ad967b76e4 100644
--- a/scripts/dev/realtime-talk-live-smoke.ts
+++ b/scripts/dev/realtime-talk-live-smoke.ts
@@ -973,7 +973,10 @@ try {
       },
     },
   );
-  await transport.start();
+  const startResult = await transport.start();
+  if (startResult !== "ready") {
+    throw new Error("Relay smoke transport did not become ready: " + startResult);
+  }
   transport.activate();
   emit({ event: "talk.event", payload: { relaySessionId: "relay-live-smoke", type: "ready" } });
   emit({