diff --git a/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/proof_system.rs b/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/proof_system.rs
index 504f4653ec6..765004a1d0a 100644
--- a/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/proof_system.rs
+++ b/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/proof_system.rs
@@ -87,8 +87,7 @@ impl Backend {
             witness_path,
             proof_path: proof_path.clone(),
         }
-        .run(&binary_path)
-        .expect("prove command failed");
+        .run(&binary_path)?;
 
         let proof_with_public_inputs = read_bytes_from_file(&proof_path).unwrap();
 
@@ -146,8 +145,7 @@ impl Backend {
             bytecode_path,
             vk_path_output: vk_path.clone(),
         }
-        .run(&binary_path)
-        .expect("write vk command failed");
+        .run(&binary_path)?;
 
         // Verify the proof
         let valid_proof = VerifyCommand {
diff --git a/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/smart_contract.rs b/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/smart_contract.rs
index a881fb18beb..f4b16f1f027 100644
--- a/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/smart_contract.rs
+++ b/crates/acvm_backend_barretenberg/src/smart_contract.rs
@@ -32,8 +32,7 @@ impl Backend {
             bytecode_path,
             vk_path_output: vk_path.clone(),
         }
-        .run(&binary_path)
-        .expect("write vk command failed");
+        .run(&binary_path)?;
 
         let contract_path = temp_directory_path.join("contract");
         ContractCommand {
@@ -42,8 +41,7 @@ impl Backend {
             vk_path,
             contract_path: contract_path.clone(),
         }
-        .run(&binary_path)
-        .expect("contract command failed");
+        .run(&binary_path)?;
 
         let verification_key_library_bytes = read_bytes_from_file(&contract_path).unwrap();
         let verification_key_library = String::from_utf8(verification_key_library_bytes).unwrap();