diff --git a/addons/base_import/static/src/js/import.js b/addons/base_import/static/src/js/import.js
index 496a25bc9ab..7b5b801b8be 100644
--- a/addons/base_import/static/src/js/import.js
+++ b/addons/base_import/static/src/js/import.js
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ var DataImport = Widget.extend(ControlPanelMixin, {
                 return $.when([{
                     type: 'error',
                     record: false,
-                    message: error.data.arguments[1],
+                    message: error.data.arguments && error.data.arguments[1] || error.message,
                 }]);
             }) ;
     },