diff --git a/gnu/build/file-systems.scm b/gnu/build/file-systems.scm
index 08f7d478ec..f9cc4088bb 100644
--- a/gnu/build/file-systems.scm
+++ b/gnu/build/file-systems.scm
@@ -419,6 +419,10 @@ warning and #f as the result."
                  #f)
                 ((= ENOMEDIUM errno)              ;for removable media
                  #f)
+                ((= EIO errno)                    ;unreadable hardware like audio CDs
+                 (format (current-error-port)
+                         "warning: failed to read from device '~a'~%" device)
+                 #f)
                 (else
                  (apply throw args))))))))