diff --git a/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py b/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py
index fea2589489..83fb23ef82 100644
--- a/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py
+++ b/studio/backend/utils/datasets/format_conversion.py
@@ -505,6 +505,8 @@ def convert_to_vlm_format(
                         batch_results[idx] = future.result()
                     except Exception as e:
                         failed_count += 1
+                        if failed_count == 1:
+                            print(f"⚠️ First VLM conversion failure: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
                         if failed_count == 1:
                             logger.info(f"⚠️ First VLM conversion failure: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
 
@@ -525,8 +527,12 @@ def convert_to_vlm_format(
         for sample in pbar:
             try:
                 converted_list.append(_convert_single_sample(sample))
+            except Exception as e:
             except Exception as e:
                 failed_count += 1
+                if failed_count == 1:
+                    # Log the first failure to aid debugging
+                    print(f"⚠️ First VLM conversion failure: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
                 if failed_count == 1:
                     # Log the first failure to aid debugging
                     logger.info(f"⚠️ First VLM conversion failure: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")