diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-media-info.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-media-info.c
index ded0a952be..ed1113f4f5 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-media-info.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-media-info.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #endif
 
 #include "gst-validate-media-info.h"
+#include "validate.h"
 
 #include <glib/gstdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -1070,41 +1071,45 @@ gst_validate_media_info_compare (GstValidateMediaInfo * expected,
 {
   gboolean ret = TRUE;
   if (expected->duration != extracted->duration) {
-    g_print ("Duration changed: %" GST_TIME_FORMAT " -> %" GST_TIME_FORMAT "\n",
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL,
+        "Duration changed: %" GST_TIME_FORMAT " -> %" GST_TIME_FORMAT "\n",
         GST_TIME_ARGS (expected->duration),
         GST_TIME_ARGS (extracted->duration));
     ret = FALSE;
   }
   if (expected->file_size != extracted->file_size) {
-    g_print ("File size changed: %" G_GUINT64_FORMAT " -> %" G_GUINT64_FORMAT
-        "\n", expected->file_size, extracted->file_size);
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL,
+        "File size changed: %" G_GUINT64_FORMAT " -> %" G_GUINT64_FORMAT "\n",
+        expected->file_size, extracted->file_size);
     ret = FALSE;
   }
   if (expected->seekable && !extracted->seekable) {
-    g_print ("File isn't seekable anymore\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "File isn't seekable anymore\n");
     ret = FALSE;
   }
 
   if (extracted->discover_only == FALSE) {
     if (expected->playback_error == NULL && extracted->playback_error) {
-      g_print ("Playback is now failing with: %s\n", extracted->playback_error);
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Playback is now failing with: %s\n",
+          extracted->playback_error);
       ret = FALSE;
     }
     if (expected->reverse_playback_error == NULL
         && extracted->reverse_playback_error) {
-      g_print ("Reverse playback is now failing with: %s\n",
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Reverse playback is now failing with: %s\n",
           extracted->reverse_playback_error);
       ret = FALSE;
     }
     if (expected->track_switch_error == NULL && extracted->track_switch_error) {
-      g_print ("Track switching is now failing with: %s\n",
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Track switching is now failing with: %s\n",
           extracted->track_switch_error);
       ret = FALSE;
     }
   }
 
   if (extracted->stream_info == NULL || expected->stream_info == NULL) {
-    g_print ("Stream infos could not be retrieved, an error occured\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL,
+        "Stream infos could not be retrieved, an error occured\n");
     ret = FALSE;
   } else if (expected->stream_info
       && !gst_caps_is_equal_fixed (expected->stream_info->caps,
@@ -1112,7 +1117,8 @@ gst_validate_media_info_compare (GstValidateMediaInfo * expected,
     gchar *caps1 = gst_caps_to_string (expected->stream_info->caps);
     gchar *caps2 = gst_caps_to_string (extracted->stream_info->caps);
 
-    g_print ("Media caps changed: '%s' -> '%s'\n", caps1, caps2);
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Media caps changed: '%s' -> '%s'\n", caps1,
+        caps2);
     g_free (caps1);
     g_free (caps2);
     ret = FALSE;
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c
index 1506366d49..32073e39ff 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c
@@ -265,35 +265,38 @@ _add_override_from_struct (GstStructure * soverride)
 
   if (!gst_structure_has_name (soverride, "change-severity")
       && !gst_structure_has_name (soverride, "change-issue-severity")) {
-    g_error ("Currently only 'change-severity' overrides are supported");
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("Currently only 'change-severity' overrides are supported");
 
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   str_issue_id = gst_structure_get_string (soverride, "issue-id");
   if (!str_issue_id) {
-    g_error ("No issue id provided in override: %" GST_PTR_FORMAT, soverride);
+    gst_validate_abort ("No issue id provided in override: %" GST_PTR_FORMAT,
+        soverride);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   issue_id = g_quark_from_string (str_issue_id);
   if (gst_validate_issue_from_id (issue_id) == NULL) {
-    g_error ("No GstValidateIssue registered for %s", str_issue_id);
+    gst_validate_abort ("No GstValidateIssue registered for %s", str_issue_id);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   str_new_severity = gst_structure_get_string (soverride, "new-severity");
   if (str_new_severity == NULL) {
-    g_error ("No 'new-severity' field found in %" GST_PTR_FORMAT, soverride);
+    gst_validate_abort ("No 'new-severity' field found in %" GST_PTR_FORMAT,
+        soverride);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   level = gst_validate_report_level_from_name (str_new_severity);
   if (level == GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_LEVEL_UNKNOWN) {
-    g_error ("Unknown level name %s", str_new_severity);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Unknown level name %s", str_new_severity);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.c
index 7b1224ead7..558c640078 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.c
@@ -1300,3 +1300,72 @@ gst_validate_print_issues (void)
 
   g_hash_table_foreach (_gst_validate_issues, (GHFunc) print_issue, NULL);
 }
+
+void
+gst_validate_error_structure (gpointer structure, const gchar * format, ...)
+{
+  gchar *filename = NULL;
+  gint lineno = -1;
+  gchar *tmp, *debug = NULL;
+  GString *f = g_string_new (NULL);
+  va_list var_args;
+  gchar *color = NULL;
+
+  const gchar *endcolor = "";
+
+#if GLIB_CHECK_VERSION(2,50,0)
+  if (g_log_writer_supports_color (fileno (stderr))) {
+    color = gst_debug_construct_term_color (GST_DEBUG_FG_RED);
+    endcolor = "\033[0m";
+  }
+#endif
+
+  if (structure) {
+    if (GST_IS_STRUCTURE (structure)) {
+      filename =
+          g_strdup (gst_structure_get_string (structure, "__filename__"));
+      debug = g_strdup (gst_structure_get_string (structure, "__debug__"));
+      gst_structure_get_int (structure, "__lineno__", &lineno);
+      /* We are going to assert... we can boutcher the struct! */
+      gst_structure_remove_fields (structure, "__filename__", "__lineno__",
+          "__debug__", NULL);
+    } else {
+      filename = g_strdup (GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME (structure));
+      debug = g_strdup (GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_DEBUG (structure));
+      lineno = GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_LINENO (structure);
+    }
+  }
+
+  va_start (var_args, format);
+  tmp = gst_info_strdup_vprintf (format, var_args);
+  va_end (var_args);
+
+  g_string_append_printf (f, "%s:%d: %s\n",
+      filename ? filename : "Unknown", lineno, tmp);
+
+  if (debug)
+    g_string_append (f, debug);
+
+  g_print ("Bail out! %sERROR%s: %s\n\n", color ? color : "", endcolor, f->str);
+  g_string_free (f, TRUE);
+  g_free (debug);
+  g_free (color);
+  g_free (filename);
+  g_free (tmp);
+
+  exit (-18);
+}
+
+void
+gst_validate_abort (const gchar * format, ...)
+{
+  va_list var_args;
+  gchar *tmp;
+
+  va_start (var_args, format);
+  tmp = gst_info_strdup_vprintf (format, var_args);
+  va_end (var_args);
+
+  g_print ("Bail out! %s\n", tmp);
+  exit (-18);
+}
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.h b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.h
index bc47ffd792..6029f1a8c2 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.h
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-report.h
@@ -314,6 +314,10 @@ GST_VALIDATE_API
 void gst_validate_print_position(GstClockTime position, GstClockTime duration, gdouble rate, gchar* extra_info);
 GST_VALIDATE_API void gst_validate_print_issues (void);
 
+GST_VALIDATE_API
+void gst_validate_error_structure (gpointer action, const gchar* format, ...) G_GNUC_PRINTF (2, 3);
+GST_VALIDATE_API
+void gst_validate_abort (const gchar * format, ...) G_GNUC_PRINTF (1, 2);
 G_END_DECLS
 
 #endif /* __GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_H__ */
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-reporter.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-reporter.c
index 3110d4bd77..0c5fcf38ad 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-reporter.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-reporter.c
@@ -250,7 +250,8 @@ gst_validate_report_valist (GstValidateReporter * reporter,
     if (runner)
       gst_validate_runner_printf (runner);
 
-    g_error ("Fatal report received: %" GST_VALIDATE_ERROR_REPORT_PRINT_FORMAT,
+    gst_validate_abort ("Fatal report received: %"
+        GST_VALIDATE_ERROR_REPORT_PRINT_FORMAT,
         GST_VALIDATE_REPORT_PRINT_ARGS (report));
   }
 
@@ -268,7 +269,7 @@ gst_validate_default_log_hanlder (const gchar * log_domain,
   gchar *trace = gst_debug_get_stack_trace (GST_STACK_TRACE_SHOW_FULL);
 
   if (trace) {
-    g_print ("\nStack trace:\n%s\n", trace);
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\nStack trace:\n%s\n", trace);
     g_free (trace);
   }
 
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c
index d116c630a9..386fee80f1 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-runner.c
@@ -471,7 +471,8 @@ gst_validate_runner_new (void)
     runner = first_runner;
     first_runner = NULL;
   } else if (element_created) {
-    g_error ("Should never create a GstValidateRunner after a GstElement "
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("Should never create a GstValidateRunner after a GstElement "
         "has been created in the same process.");
 
     return NULL;
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.c
index 6d62450b43..6bcab936e8 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.c
@@ -282,38 +282,6 @@ gst_validate_g_enum_to_string (GType g_enum_type, gint value)
 }
 #endif
 
-static void
-g_error_action (gpointer action, const gchar * format, ...)
-{
-  const gchar *filename = NULL;
-  gint lineno = -1;
-  gchar *f, *tmp;
-  va_list var_args;
-
-  if (action) {
-    if (GST_IS_STRUCTURE (action)) {
-      filename = gst_structure_get_string (action, "__filename__");
-      gst_structure_get_int (action, "__lineno__", &lineno);
-    } else {
-      filename = GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME (action);
-      lineno = GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_LINENO (action);
-    }
-  }
-
-  f = filename ? g_strdup_printf ("\n> %s:%d\n> %d | %s\n>  %*c|\n",
-      filename, lineno, lineno, format,
-      (gint) floor (log10 (abs ((lineno)))) + 1, ' ')
-      : g_strdup (format);
-
-  va_start (var_args, format);
-  tmp = gst_info_strdup_vprintf (f, var_args);
-  va_end (var_args);
-  g_free (f);
-
-  g_error ("%s", tmp);
-  g_free (tmp);
-}
-
 static void
 gst_validate_seek_information_free (GstValidateSeekInformation * info)
 {
@@ -456,6 +424,7 @@ _action_copy (GstValidateAction * act)
   GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_LINENO (copy) = GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_LINENO (act);
   GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME (copy) =
       g_strdup (GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME (act));
+  GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_DEBUG (copy) = g_strdup (GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_DEBUG (act));
 
   return copy;
 }
@@ -471,6 +440,7 @@ _action_free (GstValidateAction * action)
 
   g_weak_ref_clear (&action->priv->scenario);
   g_free (GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME (action));
+  g_free (GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_DEBUG (action));
 
   g_slice_free (GstValidateActionPrivate, action->priv);
   g_slice_free (GstValidateAction, action);
@@ -515,8 +485,9 @@ gst_validate_action_new (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
   gst_structure_get (structure,
       "__lineno__", G_TYPE_INT, &GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_LINENO (action),
       "__filename__", G_TYPE_STRING, &GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME (action),
-      NULL);
-  gst_structure_remove_fields (structure, "__lineno__", "__filename__", NULL);
+      "__debug__", G_TYPE_STRING, &GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_DEBUG (action), NULL);
+  gst_structure_remove_fields (structure, "__lineno__", "__filename__",
+      "__debug__", NULL);
 
   g_weak_ref_set (&action->priv->scenario, scenario);
   if (structure)
@@ -2045,8 +2016,8 @@ _set_action_playback_time (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
 {
   if (!gst_validate_action_get_clocktime (scenario, action,
           "playback-time", &action->playback_time)) {
-    g_error_action (action, "Could not parse playback-time in %" GST_PTR_FORMAT,
-        action->structure);
+    gst_validate_error_structure (action,
+        "Could not parse playback-time in %" GST_PTR_FORMAT, action->structure);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
@@ -2350,7 +2321,8 @@ execute_next_action_full (GstValidateScenario * scenario, GstMessage * message)
       priv->actions = g_list_remove_link (priv->actions, tmp);
 
       if (!gst_validate_parse_next_action_playback_time (scenario)) {
-        g_error_action (priv->actions ? priv->actions->data : NULL,
+        gst_validate_error_structure (priv->actions ? priv->
+            actions->data : NULL,
             "Could not determine next action playback time!");
 
         return G_SOURCE_REMOVE;
@@ -2441,7 +2413,7 @@ execute_next_action_full (GstValidateScenario * scenario, GstMessage * message)
     priv->actions = g_list_remove_link (priv->actions, tmp);
 
     if (!gst_validate_parse_next_action_playback_time (scenario)) {
-      g_error_action (priv->actions ? priv->actions->data : NULL,
+      gst_validate_error_structure (priv->actions ? priv->actions->data : NULL,
           "Could not determine next action playback time!");
 
       return G_SOURCE_REMOVE;
@@ -3313,7 +3285,7 @@ gst_validate_action_default_prepare_func (GstValidateAction * action)
   repeat_expr =
       g_strdup (gst_structure_get_string (action->structure, "repeat"));
   if (!repeat_expr) {
-    g_error_action (action, "Invalid value for 'repeat'");
+    gst_validate_error_structure (action, "Invalid value for 'repeat'");
     goto err;
   }
 
@@ -3321,7 +3293,7 @@ gst_validate_action_default_prepare_func (GstValidateAction * action)
       gst_validate_utils_parse_expression (repeat_expr, _set_variable_func,
       scenario, &error);
   if (error) {
-    g_error_action (action, "Invalid value for 'repeat'");
+    gst_validate_error_structure (action, "Invalid value for 'repeat'");
     goto err;
   }
   g_free (repeat_expr);
@@ -3813,7 +3785,8 @@ gst_validate_scenario_load_structures (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
         continue;
       }
 
-      g_error_action (structure, "We do not handle action types %s", type);
+      gst_validate_error_structure (structure,
+          "We do not handle action types %s", type);
       goto failed;
     }
 
@@ -3827,7 +3800,7 @@ gst_validate_scenario_load_structures (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
         if (action_type->parameters[i].mandatory &&
             gst_structure_has_field (structure,
                 action_type->parameters[i].name) == FALSE) {
-          g_error_action (structure,
+          gst_validate_error_structure (structure,
               "Mandatory field '%s' not present in structure: %" GST_PTR_FORMAT,
               action_type->parameters[i].name, structure);
           goto failed;
@@ -4010,7 +3983,7 @@ done:
   g_strfreev (scenarios);
 
   if (ret == FALSE)
-    g_error ("Could not set scenario %s => EXIT\n", scenario_name);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Could not set scenario %s => EXIT\n", scenario_name);
 
   return ret;
 
@@ -4521,7 +4494,7 @@ _parse_scenario (GFile * f, GKeyFile * kf)
     gst_validate_scenario_check_and_set_needs_clock_sync (structures, &meta);
     for (tmp = structures; tmp; tmp = tmp->next)
       gst_structure_remove_fields (tmp->data, "__lineno__", "__filename__",
-          NULL);
+          "__debug__", NULL);
 
     if (meta) {
       KeyFileGroupName kfg;
@@ -4529,6 +4502,8 @@ _parse_scenario (GFile * f, GKeyFile * kf)
       kfg.group_name = g_file_get_path (f);
       kfg.kf = kf;
 
+      gst_structure_remove_fields (meta, "__lineno__", "__filename__",
+          "__debug__", NULL);
       gst_structure_foreach (meta,
           (GstStructureForeachFunc) _add_description, &kfg);
       gst_structure_free (meta);
@@ -4634,7 +4609,7 @@ gst_validate_list_scenarios (gchar ** scenarios, gint num_scenarios,
 
 done:
   result = g_key_file_to_data (kf, &datalength, &err);
-  g_print ("All scenarios available:\n%s", result);
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "All scenarios available:\n%s", result);
 
   if (output_file && !err) {
     if (!g_file_set_contents (output_file, result, datalength, &err)) {
@@ -5573,8 +5548,8 @@ init_scenarios (void)
       GstValidateActionType *atype = _find_action_type (action_typename);
 
       if (!atype) {
-        g_error_action (plug_conf, "[CONFIG ERROR] Action type %s not found",
-            action_typename);
+        gst_validate_error_structure (plug_conf,
+            "[CONFIG ERROR] Action type %s not found", action_typename);
 
         continue;
       }
@@ -5588,7 +5563,7 @@ init_scenarios (void)
 
       if (!(atype->flags & GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_TYPE_CONFIG) &&
           !(_action_type_has_parameter (atype, "as-config"))) {
-        g_error_action (plug_conf,
+        gst_validate_error_structure (plug_conf,
             "[CONFIG ERROR] Action '%s' is not a config action",
             action_typename);
 
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.h b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.h
index ac4ca37583..b1c6623b3b 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.h
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-scenario.h
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ typedef struct _GstValidateActionPrivate          GstValidateActionPrivate;
 
 #define GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_LINENO(action) (((GstValidateAction*) action)->ABI.abi.lineno)
 #define GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_FILENAME(action) (((GstValidateAction*) action)->ABI.abi.filename)
+#define GST_VALIDATE_ACTION_DEBUG(action) (((GstValidateAction*) action)->ABI.abi.debug)
 
 /**
  * GstValidateAction:
@@ -129,6 +130,7 @@ struct _GstValidateAction
     struct {
       gint lineno;
       gchar *filename;
+      gchar *debug;
     } abi;
   } ABI;
 };
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-utils.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-utils.c
index 179ef5b301..0700f555c4 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-utils.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-utils.c
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ gst_validate_utils_flags_from_str (GType type, const gchar * str_flags)
   g_value_init (&value, type);
 
   if (!gst_value_deserialize (&value, str_flags)) {
-    g_error ("Invalid flags: %s", str_flags);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Invalid flags: %s", str_flags);
 
     return 0;
   }
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ gst_validate_utils_enum_from_str (GType type, const gchar * str_enum,
   g_value_init (&value, type);
 
   if (!gst_value_deserialize (&value, str_enum)) {
-    g_error ("Invalid enum: %s", str_enum);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Invalid enum: %s", str_enum);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
@@ -613,6 +613,7 @@ _file_get_structures (GFile * file, gchar ** err)
     l = g_string_new (NULL);
     debug_line = g_string_new (NULL);
     current_lineno = lineno;
+    g_string_append_printf (debug_line, "  %4d | ", lineno);
     while (*tmp != '\n' && *tmp) {
       gchar next;
 
@@ -659,8 +660,8 @@ _file_get_structures (GFile * file, gchar ** err)
 
       if (errstr) {
         g_string_append_printf (errstr,
-            "\n%s:%d-%d: Invalid structure\n  %4d | %s",
-            filename, current_lineno, lineno, current_lineno, debug_line->str);
+            "\n%s:%d-%d: Invalid structure\n%s",
+            filename, current_lineno, lineno, debug_line->str);
 
         if (strchr (debug_line->str, '\n'))
           g_string_append_printf (errstr, "\n       > %s\n", l->str);
@@ -674,7 +675,8 @@ _file_get_structures (GFile * file, gchar ** err)
     } else {
       gst_structure_set (structure,
           "__lineno__", G_TYPE_INT, current_lineno,
-          "__filename__", G_TYPE_STRING, filename, NULL);
+          "__filename__", G_TYPE_STRING, filename,
+          "__debug__", G_TYPE_STRING, debug_line->str, NULL);
       structures = g_list_append (structures, structure);
     }
 
@@ -737,7 +739,8 @@ gst_validate_utils_structs_parse_from_filename (const gchar * scenario_file,
   res = _get_structures (scenario_file, file_path, &err);
 
   if (err)
-    g_error ("Could not get structures from %s:\n%s\n", scenario_file, err);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Could not get structures from %s:\n%s\n",
+        scenario_file, err);
 
   return res;
 }
@@ -753,7 +756,7 @@ gst_validate_structs_parse_from_gfile (GFile * scenario_file)
 
   res = _file_get_structures (scenario_file, &err);
   if (err)
-    g_error ("Could not get structures from %s:\n%s\n",
+    gst_validate_abort ("Could not get structures from %s:\n%s\n",
         g_file_get_uri (scenario_file), err);
 
   return res;
@@ -990,7 +993,7 @@ fault_handler_sighandler (int signum)
       g_printerr ("<Caught SIGNAL: SIGSEGV>\n");
       break;
     case SIGQUIT:
-      g_print ("<Caught SIGNAL: SIGQUIT>\n");
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "<Caught SIGNAL: SIGQUIT>\n");
       break;
     default:
       g_printerr ("<Caught SIGNAL: %d>\n", signum);
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/media-descriptor-writer.c b/validate/gst/validate/media-descriptor-writer.c
index c20155069a..1a7c242be6 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/media-descriptor-writer.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/media-descriptor-writer.c
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ _run_frame_analysis (GstValidateMediaDescriptorWriter * writer,
   switch (sret) {
     case GST_STATE_CHANGE_FAILURE:
       /* ignore, we should get an error message posted on the bus */
-      g_print ("Pipeline failed to go to PLAYING state\n");
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Pipeline failed to go to PLAYING state\n");
       return FALSE;
     default:
       break;
diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/validate.c b/validate/gst/validate/validate.c
index dfeebfdd08..0405712aac 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/validate.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/validate.c
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ static GList *
 gst_validate_get_testfile_configs (const gchar * suffix)
 {
   GList *res = NULL;
-  gchar **config_strs = NULL, *filename = NULL;
+  gchar **config_strs = NULL, *filename = NULL, *debug = NULL;
   gint current_lineno = -1;
   GstStructure *meta = get_test_file_meta ();
 
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ gst_validate_get_testfile_configs (const gchar * suffix)
 
   gst_structure_get (meta,
       "__lineno__", G_TYPE_INT, &current_lineno,
+      "__debug__", G_TYPE_STRING, &debug,
       "__filename__", G_TYPE_STRING, &filename, NULL);
   config_strs = gst_validate_utils_get_strv (meta, "configs");
 
@@ -257,14 +258,14 @@ gst_validate_get_testfile_configs (const gchar * suffix)
           gst_structure_from_string (config_strs[i], NULL);
 
       if (tmpstruct == NULL) {
-        g_error ("%s:%d: Invalid structure\n  %d | %s\n   %*c|",
-            filename, current_lineno, current_lineno, config_strs[i],
-            (gint) floor (log10 (abs ((current_lineno)))) + 1, ' ');
+        gst_validate_abort ("%s:%d: Invalid structure\n  %4d | %s\n%s",
+            filename, current_lineno, current_lineno, config_strs[i], debug);
       }
 
       gst_structure_set (tmpstruct,
           "__lineno__", G_TYPE_INT, current_lineno,
-          "__filename__", G_TYPE_STRING, filename, NULL);
+          "__filename__", G_TYPE_STRING, filename,
+          "__debug__", G_TYPE_STRING, debug, NULL);
       res = g_list_append (res, tmpstruct);
     }
   }
@@ -519,7 +520,7 @@ gst_validate_setup_test_file (const gchar * testfile, gboolean use_fakesinks)
   GstStructure *res = NULL;
 
   if (global_testfile)
-    g_error ("A testfile was already loaded: %s", global_testfile);
+    gst_validate_abort ("A testfile was already loaded: %s", global_testfile);
 
   gst_validate_set_globals (NULL);
   gst_validate_structure_set_variables_from_struct_file (NULL, testfile);
@@ -527,7 +528,7 @@ gst_validate_setup_test_file (const gchar * testfile, gboolean use_fakesinks)
       gst_validate_utils_structs_parse_from_filename (testfile, NULL);
 
   if (!testfile_structs)
-    g_error ("Could not load test file: %s", testfile);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Could not load test file: %s", testfile);
 
   res = testfile_structs->data;
   if (gst_structure_has_name (testfile_structs->data, "set-globals")) {
@@ -537,7 +538,8 @@ gst_validate_setup_test_file (const gchar * testfile, gboolean use_fakesinks)
   }
 
   if (!gst_structure_has_name (res, "meta"))
-    g_error ("First structure of a .validatetest file should be a `meta` or "
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("First structure of a .validatetest file should be a `meta` or "
         "`set-gobals` then `meta`, got: %s", gst_structure_to_string (res));
 
   register_action_types ();
@@ -552,7 +554,8 @@ gst_validate_setup_test_file (const gchar * testfile, gboolean use_fakesinks)
     tool = "gst-validate-" GST_API_VERSION;
 
   if (g_strcmp0 (tool, g_get_prgname ()))
-    g_error ("Validate test file: '%s' was made to be run with '%s' not '%s'",
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("Validate test file: '%s' was made to be run with '%s' not '%s'",
         testfile, tool, g_get_prgname ());
   global_testfile = g_strdup (testfile);
 
diff --git a/validate/plugins/extra_checks/gstvalidateextrachecks.c b/validate/plugins/extra_checks/gstvalidateextrachecks.c
index 6f1890e712..c719859c72 100644
--- a/validate/plugins/extra_checks/gstvalidateextrachecks.c
+++ b/validate/plugins/extra_checks/gstvalidateextrachecks.c
@@ -23,21 +23,24 @@ gst_validate_check_num_instances_data_new (GstStructure * check)
 
   if (!gst_structure_get_int (check, "num-instances",
           &data->expected_n_instances)) {
-    g_error ("[CONFIG ERROR] Mandatory field `num-instances` not found in "
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("[CONFIG ERROR] Mandatory field `num-instances` not found in "
         "extra-check `num-instances`");
     goto failed;
   }
 
   data->pname = g_strdup (gst_structure_get_string (check, "pipeline-name"));
   if (!data->pname) {
-    g_error ("[CONFIG ERROR] Mandatory field `pipeline` not found in "
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("[CONFIG ERROR] Mandatory field `pipeline` not found in "
         "extra-check `num-instances`");
     goto failed;
   }
 
   data->klass = g_strdup (gst_structure_get_string (check, "element-klass"));
   if (!data->klass) {
-    g_error ("[CONFIG ERROR] Mandatory field `element-klass` not found in "
+    gst_validate_abort
+        ("[CONFIG ERROR] Mandatory field `element-klass` not found in "
         "extra-check `num-instances`");
     goto failed;
   }
diff --git a/validate/plugins/flow/gstvalidateflow.c b/validate/plugins/flow/gstvalidateflow.c
index 776048680f..f0b812cd3d 100644
--- a/validate/plugins/flow/gstvalidateflow.c
+++ b/validate/plugins/flow/gstvalidateflow.c
@@ -219,7 +219,8 @@ validate_flow_override_new (GstStructure * config)
 {
   ValidateFlowOverride *flow;
   GstValidateOverride *override;
-  gchar *ignored_fields, *logged_fields;
+  gchar *ignored_fields = NULL, *logged_fields;
+  const GValue *tmpval;
 
   flow = g_object_new (VALIDATE_TYPE_FLOW_OVERRIDE, NULL);
   GST_OBJECT_FLAG_SET (flow, GST_OBJECT_FLAG_MAY_BE_LEAKED);
@@ -228,8 +229,8 @@ validate_flow_override_new (GstStructure * config)
   /* pad: Name of the pad where flowing buffers and events will be monitorized. */
   flow->pad_name = gst_structure_get_string (config, "pad");
   if (!flow->pad_name) {
-    g_error ("pad property is mandatory, not found in %s",
-        gst_structure_to_string (config));
+    gst_validate_error_structure (config,
+        "pad property is mandatory, not found in %" GST_PTR_FORMAT, config);
   }
 
   /* record-buffers: Whether buffers will be written to the expectation log. */
@@ -254,14 +255,23 @@ validate_flow_override_new (GstStructure * config)
   flow->ignored_event_types =
       gst_validate_utils_get_strv (config, "ignored-event-types");
 
-  ignored_fields =
-      (gchar *) gst_structure_get_string (config, "ignored-fields");
+  tmpval = gst_structure_get_value (config, "ignored-fields");
+  if (tmpval) {
+    if (!G_VALUE_HOLDS_STRING (tmpval)) {
+      gst_validate_error_structure (config,
+          "Invalid value type for `ignored-fields`: '%s' instead of 'string'",
+          G_VALUE_TYPE_NAME (tmpval));
+    }
+    ignored_fields = (gchar *) g_value_get_string (tmpval);
+  }
+
   if (ignored_fields) {
     ignored_fields = g_strdup_printf ("ignored,%s", ignored_fields);
     flow->ignored_fields = gst_structure_new_from_string (ignored_fields);
     if (!flow->ignored_fields)
-      g_error ("Could not parse 'ignored-event-fields' %s in %s",
-          ignored_fields, gst_structure_to_string (config));
+      gst_validate_error_structure (config,
+          "Could not parse 'ignored-event-fields' structure: `%s`",
+          ignored_fields);
     g_free (ignored_fields);
   } else {
     flow->ignored_fields =
@@ -277,8 +287,8 @@ validate_flow_override_new (GstStructure * config)
     logged_fields = g_strdup_printf ("logged,%s", logged_fields);
     flow->logged_fields = gst_structure_new_from_string (logged_fields);
     if (!flow->logged_fields)
-      g_error ("Could not parse 'logged-fields' %s in %s",
-          logged_fields, gst_structure_to_string (config));
+      gst_validate_error_structure (config,
+          "Could not parse 'logged-fields' %s", logged_fields);
     g_free (logged_fields);
   } else {
     flow->logged_fields = NULL;
@@ -331,7 +341,7 @@ validate_flow_override_new (GstStructure * config)
   {
     gchar *directory_path = g_path_get_dirname (flow->output_file_path);
     if (g_mkdir_with_parents (directory_path, 0755) < 0) {
-      g_error ("Could not create directory tree: %s Reason: %s",
+      gst_validate_abort ("Could not create directory tree: %s Reason: %s",
           directory_path, g_strerror (errno));
     }
     g_free (directory_path);
@@ -339,7 +349,8 @@ validate_flow_override_new (GstStructure * config)
 
   flow->output_file = fopen (flow->output_file_path, "w");
   if (!flow->output_file)
-    g_error ("Could not open for writing: %s", flow->output_file_path);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Could not open for writing: %s",
+        flow->output_file_path);
 
   flow->was_attached = FALSE;
 
@@ -452,7 +463,7 @@ runner_stopping (GstValidateRunner * runner, ValidateFlowOverride * flow)
     GError *error = NULL;
     g_file_get_contents (flow->expectations_file_path, &contents, NULL, &error);
     if (error) {
-      g_error ("Failed to open expectations file: %s Reason: %s",
+      gst_validate_abort ("Failed to open expectations file: %s Reason: %s",
           flow->expectations_file_path, error->message);
     }
     lines_expected = g_strsplit (contents, "\n", 0);
@@ -465,7 +476,7 @@ runner_stopping (GstValidateRunner * runner, ValidateFlowOverride * flow)
     g_file_get_contents (flow->actual_results_file_path, &contents, NULL,
         &error);
     if (error) {
-      g_error ("Failed to open actual results file: %s Reason: %s",
+      gst_validate_abort ("Failed to open actual results file: %s Reason: %s",
           flow->actual_results_file_path, error->message);
     }
     lines_actual = g_strsplit (contents, "\n", 0);
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate-images-check.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate-images-check.c
index 518de1e7ff..3e1625ccd0 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate-images-check.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate-images-check.c
@@ -108,14 +108,14 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
   if (ret == 0) {
     ret = rep_err;
     if (rep_err != 0)
-      g_print ("Returning %d as error where found", rep_err);
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Returning %d as error where found", rep_err);
   }
 
   g_object_unref (ssim);
   g_object_unref (runner);
   gst_validate_deinit ();
 
-  g_print ("\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
       ret == 0 ? "PASSED" : "FAILED", ret);
 
   return ret;
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate-media-check.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate-media-check.c
index b388443257..f357ac4eb1 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate-media-check.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate-media-check.c
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
         gst_validate_media_descriptor_parser_new (runner, expected_file, NULL);
 
     if (reference == NULL) {
-      g_print ("Could not parse file: %s\n", expected_file);
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Could not parse file: %s\n", expected_file);
       ret = 1;
       goto out;
     }
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
       gst_validate_media_descriptor_writer_new_discover (runner, argv[1],
       writer_flags, NULL);
   if (writer == NULL) {
-    g_print ("Could not discover file: %s\n", argv[1]);
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Could not discover file: %s\n", argv[1]);
     ret = 1;
     goto out;
   }
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
     }
   } else {
     output = gst_validate_media_descriptor_writer_serialize (writer);
-    g_print ("Media info:\n%s\n", output);
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Media info:\n%s\n", output);
     g_free (output);
   }
 
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ out:
   gst_validate_deinit ();
   gst_deinit ();
 
-  g_print ("\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
       ret == 0 ? "PASSED" : "FAILED", ret);
 
   return ret;
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate-rtsp-server.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate-rtsp-server.c
index 93602db95f..00abbd5d55 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate-rtsp-server.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate-rtsp-server.c
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ remove_map (GstRTSPServer * server)
 {
   GstRTSPMountPoints *mounts;
 
-  g_print ("removing /test mount point\n");
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "removing /test mount point\n");
   mounts = gst_rtsp_server_get_mount_points (server);
   gst_rtsp_mount_points_remove_factory (mounts, "/test");
   g_object_unref (mounts);
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c
index 5f6be5b30f..fcf07daa74 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate-transcoding.c
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@ static gboolean is_live = FALSE;
 static gboolean
 intr_handler (gpointer user_data)
 {
-  g_print ("interrupt received.\n");
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "interrupt received.\n");
 
   if (eos_on_shutdown) {
-    g_print ("Sending EOS to the pipeline\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Sending EOS to the pipeline\n");
     eos_on_shutdown = FALSE;
     gst_element_send_event (GST_ELEMENT_CAST (user_data), gst_event_new_eos ());
     return TRUE;
@@ -90,11 +90,11 @@ _execute_set_restriction (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
     profile_type = g_type_from_name (profile_type_name);
 
     if (profile_type == G_TYPE_NONE) {
-      g_error ("Profile name %s not known", profile_name);
+      gst_validate_abort ("Profile name %s not known", profile_name);
 
       return FALSE;
     } else if (profile_type == GST_TYPE_ENCODING_CONTAINER_PROFILE) {
-      g_error ("Can not set restrictions on container profiles");
+      gst_validate_abort ("Can not set restrictions on container profiles");
 
       return FALSE;
     }
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ _execute_set_restriction (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
 
   caps = gst_caps_from_string (restriction_caps);
   if (caps == NULL) {
-    g_error ("Could not parse caps: %s", restriction_caps);
+    gst_validate_abort ("Could not parse caps: %s", restriction_caps);
 
     return FALSE;
   }
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ _execute_set_restriction (GstValidateScenario * scenario,
     }
 
     if (!found) {
-      g_error ("Could not find profile for %s%s",
+      gst_validate_abort ("Could not find profile for %s%s",
           profile_type_name ? profile_type_name : "",
           profile_name ? profile_name : "");
 
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ bus_callback (GstBus * bus, GstMessage * message, gpointer data)
       }
 
       if (!buffering) {
-        g_print ("\n");
+        gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\n");
       }
 
       gst_message_parse_buffering (message, &percent);
@@ -560,20 +560,20 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
   g_signal_connect (bus, "message", (GCallback) bus_callback,
       &bus_callback_data);
 
-  g_print ("Starting pipeline\n");
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Starting pipeline\n");
   sret = gst_element_set_state (pipeline, GST_STATE_PLAYING);
   switch (sret) {
     case GST_STATE_CHANGE_FAILURE:
       /* ignore, we should get an error message posted on the bus */
-      g_print ("Pipeline failed to go to PLAYING state\n");
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Pipeline failed to go to PLAYING state\n");
       ret = -1;
       goto exit;
     case GST_STATE_CHANGE_NO_PREROLL:
-      g_print ("Pipeline is live.\n");
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Pipeline is live.\n");
       is_live = TRUE;
       break;
     case GST_STATE_CHANGE_ASYNC:
-      g_print ("Prerolling...\r");
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Prerolling...\r");
       break;
     default:
       break;
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ exit:
   gst_validate_deinit ();
   gst_deinit ();
 
-  g_print ("\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
       ret == 0 ? "PASSED" : "FAILED", ret);
   return ret;
 }
diff --git a/validate/tools/gst-validate.c b/validate/tools/gst-validate.c
index 0825748a3a..77682d75ff 100644
--- a/validate/tools/gst-validate.c
+++ b/validate/tools/gst-validate.c
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ static gboolean is_live = FALSE;
 static gboolean
 intr_handler (gpointer user_data)
 {
-  g_print ("interrupt received.\n");
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "interrupt received.\n");
 
   GST_DEBUG_BIN_TO_DOT_FILE_WITH_TS (GST_BIN (pipeline),
       GST_DEBUG_GRAPH_SHOW_ALL, "gst-validate.interrupted");
@@ -137,9 +137,10 @@ bus_callback (GstBus * bus, GstMessage * message, gpointer data)
           GST_DEBUG_GRAPH_SHOW_ALL, "gst-validate.warning");
 
       gst_message_parse_warning (message, &gerror, &debug);
-      g_print ("WARNING: from element %s: %s\n", name, gerror->message);
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "WARNING: from element %s: %s\n", name,
+          gerror->message);
       if (debug)
-        g_print ("Additional debug info:\n%s\n", debug);
+        gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Additional debug info:\n%s\n", debug);
 
       g_clear_error (&gerror);
       g_free (debug);
@@ -160,7 +161,7 @@ bus_callback (GstBus * bus, GstMessage * message, gpointer data)
       }
 
       if (!buffering) {
-        g_print ("\n");
+        gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\n");
       }
 
       gst_message_parse_buffering (message, &percent);
@@ -313,7 +314,7 @@ run_test_from_file (const gchar * testfile, gboolean use_fakesinks)
 
   args = gst_validate_utils_get_strv (meta, "args");
   if (!args)
-    g_error ("No 'args' in .validatetest meta structure: %s",
+    gst_validate_abort ("No 'args' in .validatetest meta structure: %s",
         gst_structure_to_string (meta));
 
   for (argc = 0; args[argc]; argc++);
@@ -407,7 +408,8 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
       "as gstreamer debugging");
 
   if (argc == 1) {
-    g_print ("%s", g_option_context_get_help (ctx, FALSE, NULL));
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "%s", g_option_context_get_help (ctx, FALSE,
+            NULL));
     exit (1);
   }
 
@@ -423,7 +425,8 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
   if (testfile) {
     is_testfile = TRUE;
     if (scenario)
-      g_error ("Can not specify scenario and testfile at the same time");
+      gst_validate_abort
+          ("Can not specify scenario and testfile at the same time");
     return run_test_from_file (testfile, use_fakesinks);
   }
 
@@ -467,7 +470,8 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
   }
 
   if (argc == 1) {
-    g_print ("%s", g_option_context_get_help (ctx, FALSE, NULL));
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "%s", g_option_context_get_help (ctx, FALSE,
+            NULL));
     g_option_context_free (ctx);
     exit (1);
   }
@@ -491,7 +495,7 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
   }
 
   if (!pipeline) {
-    g_print ("Failed to create pipeline: %s\n",
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Failed to create pipeline: %s\n",
         err ? err->message : "unknown reason");
     g_clear_error (&err);
     g_object_unref (runner);
@@ -560,9 +564,9 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
       &bus_callback_data);
 
   if (argc == 2)
-    g_print ("**-> Starting pipeline**\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "**-> Starting pipeline**\n");
   else
-    g_print ("**-> Starting pipeline**\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "**-> Starting pipeline**\n");
 
   g_free (argvn);
   g_object_get (monitor, "handles-states", &monitor_handles_state, NULL);
@@ -571,23 +575,23 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
     switch (sret) {
       case GST_STATE_CHANGE_FAILURE:
         /* ignore, we should get an error message posted on the bus */
-        g_print ("Pipeline failed to go to PLAYING state\n");
+        gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Pipeline failed to go to PLAYING state\n");
         gst_element_set_state (pipeline, GST_STATE_NULL);
         ret = -1;
         goto exit;
       case GST_STATE_CHANGE_NO_PREROLL:
-        g_print ("Pipeline is live.\n");
+        gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Pipeline is live.\n");
         is_live = TRUE;
         break;
       case GST_STATE_CHANGE_ASYNC:
-        g_print ("Prerolling...\r");
+        gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Prerolling...\r");
         break;
       default:
         break;
     }
-    g_print ("**-> Pipeline started**\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "**-> Pipeline started**\n");
   } else {
-    g_print ("**-> Letting scenario handle set state**\n");
+    gst_validate_printf (NULL, "**-> Letting scenario handle set state**\n");
   }
 
   g_main_loop_run (mainloop);
@@ -603,7 +607,8 @@ main (int argc, gchar ** argv)
   if (ret == 0) {
     ret = rep_err;
     if (rep_err != 0)
-      g_print ("Returning %d as errors were found\n", rep_err);
+      gst_validate_printf (NULL, "Returning %d as errors were found\n",
+          rep_err);
   }
 
 exit:
@@ -617,7 +622,7 @@ exit:
   g_source_remove (signal_watch_id);
 #endif
 
-  g_print ("\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
+  gst_validate_printf (NULL, "\n=======> Test %s (Return value: %i)\n\n",
       ret == 0 ? "PASSED" : "FAILED", ret);
 
   gst_validate_deinit ();