diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/capa_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/capa_module.py
index 0034e9d899..586464b058 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/capa_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/capa_module.py
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ class CapaModule(CapaFields, XModule):
         )
 
         if dispatch not in handlers:
-            return 'Error'
+            return 'Error: {} is not a known capa action'.format(dispatch)
 
         before = self.get_progress()