diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/themes/electron-browser/themes.contribution.ts b/src/vs/workbench/parts/themes/electron-browser/themes.contribution.ts
index b082945c28b2e8beb106ee2573c0f48e610aba03..33df310cc250c41ed0ea2fb56776475e5ca6ffb2 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/themes/electron-browser/themes.contribution.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/themes/electron-browser/themes.contribution.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class SelectColorThemeAction extends Action {
 					theme = currentTheme;
 				}
 				this.themeService.setColorTheme(theme.id, broadcast)
-					.done(null, err => this.messageService.show(Severity.Info, localize('problemChangingTheme', "Problem loading theme: {0}", err.message)));
+					.done(null, err => this.messageService.show(Severity.Info, localize('problemChangingTheme', "Problem loading theme: {0}", err)));
 			};
 
 			const placeHolder = localize('themes.selectTheme', "Select Color Theme");