diff --git a/reader.lua b/reader.lua
index 94b36b173..4f6be8eb7 100755
--- a/reader.lua
+++ b/reader.lua
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ function openFile(filename)
 			G_reader_settings:saveSetting("lastfile", filename)
 			return reader:inputLoop()
 		else
-			InfoMessage:show("Error opening document.", 0)
+			InfoMessage:show(err or "Error opening document.", 0)
 			util.sleep(2)
 		end
 	end