diff --git a/src/components/structures/InteractiveAuth.js b/src/components/structures/InteractiveAuth.js
index a58ad9aaa4..71fee883be 100644
--- a/src/components/structures/InteractiveAuth.js
+++ b/src/components/structures/InteractiveAuth.js
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ export default React.createClass({
                 return;
             }
 
+            const msg = error.message || error.toString();
             this.setState({
                 errorText: msg
             });