diff --git a/lib/galaxy_test/selenium/framework.py b/lib/galaxy_test/selenium/framework.py
index d06bc37a779..a7d3c7d37bf 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy_test/selenium/framework.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy_test/selenium/framework.py
@@ -544,7 +544,10 @@ EXAMPLE_WORKFLOW_URL_1 = (
 class UsesWorkflowAssertions(NavigatesGalaxyMixin):
     @retry_assertion_during_transitions
     def _assert_showing_n_workflows(self, n):
-        assert len(self.workflow_index_table_elements()) == n
+        actual_count = len(self.workflow_index_table_elements())
+        if actual_count != n:
+            message = f"Expected {n} workflows to be displayed, based on DOM found {actual_count} workflow rows."
+            raise AssertionError(message)
 
     @skip_if_github_down
     def _workflow_import_from_url(self, url=EXAMPLE_WORKFLOW_URL_1):