diff --git a/device/alsa/alsa_test.go b/device/alsa/alsa_test.go
index ce413bc0..a53c27e7 100644
--- a/device/alsa/alsa_test.go
+++ b/device/alsa/alsa_test.go
@@ -70,6 +70,9 @@ func TestDevice(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	cs := ai.DataSize()
 	lexer, err := codecutil.NewByteLexer(cs)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error creating byte lexer: %v", err)
+	}
 	go lexer.Lex(ioutil.Discard, ai, time.Duration(c.RecPeriod*float64(time.Second)))
 	time.Sleep(time.Duration(c.RecPeriod*float64(time.Second)) * time.Duration(n))
 	ai.Stop()