diff --git a/tests/examples/test_examples.py b/tests/examples/test_examples.py
index 1c45be84..bcc45a1a 100644
--- a/tests/examples/test_examples.py
+++ b/tests/examples/test_examples.py
@@ -25,3 +25,5 @@ def list_of_examples():
     @pytest.mark.examples
     def test_example_scripts(self, example):
         runpy.run_path(example)
+        # fail the tests for debugging
+        assert False
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_model_experiment_changes.py b/tests/integration/test_model_experiment_changes.py
index 8d648a84..66e9dc2f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_model_experiment_changes.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_model_experiment_changes.py
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@ def test_changing_model(self, parameter):
         # The datasets are not corrupted so the costs should be zero
         np.testing.assert_almost_equal(cost_1, 0)
         np.testing.assert_almost_equal(cost_2, 0)
+        # fail the test for debugging
+        assert False
 
     def final_cost(self, solution, model, parameters, init_soc):
         # Compute the cost corresponding to a particular solution
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_cost.py b/tests/unit/test_cost.py
index 6ffeb58e..3159d075 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_cost.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_cost.py
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ def test_energy_density_costs(
         assert cost([0.8]) == np.inf  # Should exceed active material + porosity < 1
         assert cost([1.4]) == np.inf  # Definitely not viable
         assert cost([-0.1]) == np.inf  # Should not be a viable design
+        # fail the tests for debugging
+        assert False
 
         # Test infeasible locations
         cost.problem._model.allow_infeasible_solutions = False