diff --git a/compiler/frontend/src/org/jetbrains/jet/lang/resolve/OverrideResolver.java b/compiler/frontend/src/org/jetbrains/jet/lang/resolve/OverrideResolver.java
index b2526dda5f7..08cb15fde3d 100644
--- a/compiler/frontend/src/org/jetbrains/jet/lang/resolve/OverrideResolver.java
+++ b/compiler/frontend/src/org/jetbrains/jet/lang/resolve/OverrideResolver.java
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ public class OverrideResolver {
         if (!descriptor.getKind().isReal()) {
             Collection<CallableMemberDescriptor> overriddenDeclarations = OverridingUtil.getOverriddenDeclarations(descriptor);
             if (overriddenDeclarations.size() == 0) {
-                throw new IllegalStateException();
+                throw new IllegalStateException("A 'fake override' must override something");
             }
             else if (overriddenDeclarations.size() == 1) {
                 CallableMemberDescriptor single = overriddenDeclarations.iterator().next();