diff --git a/classes/Memcached_DataObject.php b/classes/Memcached_DataObject.php
index bc4c3a000c..920966b16d 100644
--- a/classes/Memcached_DataObject.php
+++ b/classes/Memcached_DataObject.php
@@ -505,6 +505,9 @@ class Memcached_DataObject extends Safe_DataObject
         if ($this->id) {
             $id .= ':' . $this->id;
         }
+        if ($message instanceof PEAR_Error) {
+            $message = $message->getMessage();
+        }
         throw new ServerException("[$id] DB_DataObject error [$type]: $message");
     }