diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 578ada27..4bb33ad0 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ var Parser = {
     case UTF8.R:
       return Parser.parseR(buffer, offset);
     default:
-      throw "Unsupported message id"
+      throw new Error("Unsupported message ID");
     }
   },
   parseR: function(buffer, offset) {