diff --git a/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctFunc.m b/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctFunc.m
index ba499cae2..f1745a0ec 100644
--- a/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctFunc.m
+++ b/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctFunc.m
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ function output = ctFunc(varargin)
     output = calllib(ctLib, funcName, varargin{2:end});
 
     if ismember(output, errorcode)
-        error(ctGetErr);
+        error('Cantera:ctError', ctGetErr);
     end
 
 end
diff --git a/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctString.m b/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctString.m
index 1ae3c37ad..61a01c4d8 100644
--- a/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctString.m
+++ b/interfaces/matlab_experimental/Utility/ctString.m
@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@ function output = ctString(varargin)
         output = bb;
         clear aa bb ptr;
     else
-        error(ctGetErr);
+        error('Cantera:ctError', ctGetErr);
     end
 
     if iok == -err1
-        error(ctGetErr);
+        error('Cantera:ctError', ctGetErr);
     end
 
 end