diff --git a/internal/daemon/doctor.go b/internal/daemon/doctor.go
index 1dfe608..055c1e0 100644
--- a/internal/daemon/doctor.go
+++ b/internal/daemon/doctor.go
@@ -27,17 +27,27 @@ func Doctor(ctx context.Context) (system.Report, error) {
 		config: cfg,
 		runner: system.NewRunner(),
 	}
-	db, err := store.Open(layout.DBPath)
-	if err == nil {
+	db, storeErr := store.Open(layout.DBPath)
+	if storeErr == nil {
 		defer db.Close()
 		d.store = db
 	}
-	return d.doctorReport(ctx), nil
+	return d.doctorReport(ctx, storeErr), nil
 }
 
-func (d *Daemon) doctorReport(ctx context.Context) system.Report {
+func (d *Daemon) doctorReport(ctx context.Context, storeErr error) system.Report {
 	report := system.Report{}
 
+	if storeErr != nil {
+		report.AddFail(
+			"state store",
+			fmt.Sprintf("open %s: %v", d.layout.DBPath, storeErr),
+			"remove or restore the file if corrupt; otherwise check its permissions",
+		)
+	} else {
+		report.AddPass("state store", "readable at "+d.layout.DBPath)
+	}
+
 	report.AddPreflight("host runtime", d.runtimeChecks(), runtimeStatus(d.config))
 	report.AddPreflight("core vm lifecycle", d.coreVMLifecycleChecks(), "required host tools available")
 	report.AddPreflight("vsock guest agent", d.vsockChecks(), "vsock guest agent prerequisites available")