diff --git a/model/utils.go b/model/utils.go
index 6d6eb452d9..ff26bfc666 100644
--- a/model/utils.go
+++ b/model/utils.go
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func AppErrorFromJson(data io.Reader) *AppError {
 	if err == nil {
 		return &er
 	} else {
-		return nil
+		return NewAppError("AppErrorFromJson", "could not decode", err.Error())
 	}
 }