diff --git a/src/howler.core.js b/src/howler.core.js
index 5198bdfc..76b69faa 100644
--- a/src/howler.core.js
+++ b/src/howler.core.js
@@ -2313,7 +2313,7 @@
       var self = this;
 
       // Fire an error event and pass back the code.
-      self._parent._emit('loaderror', self._id, self._node.error ? self._node.error.code : 0);
+      self._parent._emit('loaderror', self._id, self._node.error ? self._node.error.message || self._node.error.code : 0);
 
       // Clear the event listener.
       self._node.removeEventListener('error', self._errorFn, false);