diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/optional/Javah.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/optional/Javah.java
index 1ef3265d2..22ec09ecb 100755
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/optional/Javah.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/optional/Javah.java
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ public class Javah extends Task {
             if (ex instanceof BuildException) {
                 throw (BuildException) ex;
             } else {
-                throw new BuildException("Error starting javah: ", ex, location);
+                throw new BuildException("Error starting javah: " + ex, ex, location);
             }
         }
     }