diff --git a/playground/test-utils.ts b/playground/test-utils.ts
index b99daa846b2689..137abff2c4bd53 100644
--- a/playground/test-utils.ts
+++ b/playground/test-utils.ts
@@ -71,7 +71,11 @@ const timeout = (n: number) => new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, n))
 
 async function toEl(el: string | ElementHandle): Promise<ElementHandle> {
   if (typeof el === 'string') {
-    return await page.$(el)
+    const realEl = await page.$(el)
+    if (realEl == null) {
+      throw new Error(`Cannot find element: "${el}"`)
+    }
+    return realEl
   }
   return el
 }