diff --git a/src/auto4_lua.cpp b/src/auto4_lua.cpp
index 582e85b03..baa345101 100644
--- a/src/auto4_lua.cpp
+++ b/src/auto4_lua.cpp
@@ -395,7 +395,10 @@ namespace {
 
 		// create lua environment
 		L = lua_open();
-		if (!L) return;
+		if (!L) {
+			description = "Could not initialize Lua state";
+			return;
+		}
 
 		bool loaded = false;
 		BOOST_SCOPE_EXIT_ALL(&) { if (!loaded) Destroy(); };