diff --git a/pkg/controller/certificates/requestmanager/requestmanager_controller.go b/pkg/controller/certificates/requestmanager/requestmanager_controller.go
index 5f2bda3ae..4487a501f 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/certificates/requestmanager/requestmanager_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/certificates/requestmanager/requestmanager_controller.go
@@ -338,6 +338,7 @@ func (c *controller) createNewCertificateRequest(ctx context.Context, crt *cmapi
 
 	cr, err = c.client.CertmanagerV1().CertificateRequests(cr.Namespace).Create(ctx, cr, metav1.CreateOptions{})
 	if err != nil {
+		c.recorder.Eventf(crt, corev1.EventTypeWarning, "RequestFailed", "Failed to create CertificateRequest: "+err.Error())
 		return err
 	}
 	c.recorder.Eventf(crt, corev1.EventTypeNormal, "Requested", "Created new CertificateRequest resource %q", cr.Name)