diff --git a/ducktape/tests/runner_client.py b/ducktape/tests/runner_client.py
index d12a676d..ad7c9ab9 100644
--- a/ducktape/tests/runner_client.py
+++ b/ducktape/tests/runner_client.py
@@ -38,7 +38,9 @@
 
 
 def run_client(*args, **kwargs):
-    # On timeout, the runner sends SIGUSR1 to dump all thread stacks to stderr
+    # Dump Python tracebacks on fatal signals (SIGABRT, SIGSEGV, etc.) and on
+    # SIGUSR1 which the runner sends on timeout.
+    faulthandler.enable()
     faulthandler.register(signal.SIGUSR1)
     client = RunnerClient(*args, **kwargs)
     client.ready()