diff --git a/lib/gui.py b/lib/gui.py
index 1bdf81da0..bd1d21bb5 100644
--- a/lib/gui.py
+++ b/lib/gui.py
@@ -877,7 +877,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow:
         try:
             tx = self.wallet.mktx( to_address, amount, label, password, fee )
         except BaseException, e:
-            self.show_message(e.message)
+            self.show_message(str(e))
             return
             
         status, msg = self.wallet.sendtx( tx )
diff --git a/lib/gui_qt.py b/lib/gui_qt.py
index cdec8cd9b..c2bdbc12d 100644
--- a/lib/gui_qt.py
+++ b/lib/gui_qt.py
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow):
         try:
             tx = self.wallet.mktx( to_address, amount, label, password, fee )
         except BaseException, e:
-            self.show_message(e.message)
+            self.show_message(str(e))
             return
             
         status, msg = self.wallet.sendtx( tx )
diff --git a/lib/wallet.py b/lib/wallet.py
index 73250f62d..6158c8b5d 100644
--- a/lib/wallet.py
+++ b/lib/wallet.py
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ class Wallet:
         except BaseException, e:
             # raise exception if verify fails (verify the chain)
             if interactive:
-                show_message("Alias error: " + e.message)
+                show_message("Alias error: " + str(e))
             return
 
         print target, signing_address, auth_name