diff --git a/opm/simulators/wells/VFPHelpers.cpp b/opm/simulators/wells/VFPHelpers.cpp
index a1f5b476b..00e4e8b12 100644
--- a/opm/simulators/wells/VFPHelpers.cpp
+++ b/opm/simulators/wells/VFPHelpers.cpp
@@ -595,7 +595,9 @@ const T& getTable(const std::map<int, std::reference_wrapper<const T>>& tables,
 {
     auto entry = tables.find(table_id);
     if (entry == tables.end()) {
-        OPM_THROW(std::invalid_argument, "Nonexistent VFP table " << table_id << " referenced.");
+        OPM_THROW(std::invalid_argument,
+                  "Nonexistent VFP table " +
+                  std::to_string(table_id) + " referenced.");
     }
     else {
         return entry->second.get();