diff --git a/yasnippet.el b/yasnippet.el
index 44154c1..594e018 100644
--- a/yasnippet.el
+++ b/yasnippet.el
@@ -1240,7 +1240,7 @@ return an expression that when evaluated will issue an error."
   (condition-case err
       (read string)
     (error (and (not nil-on-error)
-                `(error (error-message-string err))))))
+                `(error (error-message-string ,err))))))
 
 (defun yas/read-keybinding (keybinding)
   "Read KEYBINDING as a snippet keybinding, return a vector."