diff --git a/lib/bgg-api.rb b/lib/bgg-api.rb
index 546df0f..d227d37 100644
--- a/lib/bgg-api.rb
+++ b/lib/bgg-api.rb
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def self.entire_user_plays(username, page=1)
         xml_data = response.body
         XmlSimple.xml_in(xml_data)
       else
-        raise "Received a #{response.code} at #{url} with #{params}"
+        raise Exception.new("Received a #{response.code} at #{url} with #{params}")
       end
     end
   end