diff --git a/lib/http/base.js b/lib/http/base.js
index 1087aa7b..f55f49a0 100644
--- a/lib/http/base.js
+++ b/lib/http/base.js
@@ -1457,7 +1457,7 @@ Response.prototype.error = function error(code, err) {
   this.send(code, {
     error: {
       type: err.type || 'Error',
-      message: err.stack || msg,
+      message: err.message || msg,
       code: err.code
     }
   });
@@ -1601,7 +1601,7 @@ WebSocket.prototype.onevent = co(function* onevent(packet) {
   } catch (e) {
     ack({
       type: e.type || 'Error',
-      message: e.stack,
+      message: e.message,
       code: e.code
     });
     return;