diff --git a/client/src/App.js b/client/src/App.js
index e0fc41f..fb1b598 100644
--- a/client/src/App.js
+++ b/client/src/App.js
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class App extends Component {
       .catch((error) => {
         this.setState({
           pdfIsLoading: false,
-          pdfError: error,
+          pdfError: error.message,
           pdfUrl: null
         });
       });
diff --git a/client/src/apiHelper.js b/client/src/apiHelper.js
index 84a150b..ce33fc6 100644
--- a/client/src/apiHelper.js
+++ b/client/src/apiHelper.js
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ export function generatePdf(state){
     body: JSON.stringify(state)
   }).then(function(res) {
     if (res.status !== 200) {
-      console.error('request failed');
-      return;
+      throw new Error(`Something went wrong (Status ${res.status}) - I do feel very sorry!`);
     }
     return res.json();
   });