diff --git a/lms/static/js/courseware/certificates_api.js b/lms/static/js/courseware/certificates_api.js
index 839010e5fd..2877410c9d 100644
--- a/lms/static/js/courseware/certificates_api.js
+++ b/lms/static/js/courseware/certificates_api.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ $(document).ready(function() {
                 location.reload();
             },
             error: function(jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
-                $('#errors-info').html(jqXHR.responseText);
+                $('#errors-info').text(jqXHR.responseText);
                 $('.generate_certs').attr('disabled', false).removeClass('is-disabled').attr('aria-disabled', false);
             }
         });