diff --git a/epan/dfilter/dfilter.c b/epan/dfilter/dfilter.c
index 1e3d66570a..9feac8e3dc 100644
--- a/epan/dfilter/dfilter.c
+++ b/epan/dfilter/dfilter.c
@@ -548,6 +548,7 @@ FAILURE:
 	if (dfw->error.msg == NULL) {
 		/* We require an error message. */
 		ws_critical("Unknown error compiling filter: %s", text);
+		dfw_error_set_msg(errpp, "Unknown error compiling filter: %s", text);
 	}
 	else {
 		ws_debug("Compiling filter failed with error: %s.", dfw->error.msg);