diff --git a/courses/views/v1/__init__.py b/courses/views/v1/__init__.py
index db41df1da..b1daca1bb 100644
--- a/courses/views/v1/__init__.py
+++ b/courses/views/v1/__init__.py
@@ -219,8 +219,8 @@ def get(self, request, *args, **kwargs):  # noqa: ARG002
         try:
             data = fetch_emeritus_courses()
             return Response(data, status=status.HTTP_200_OK)
-        except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001
+        except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001
             return Response(
-                {"error": "Some error occurred."},
+                {"error": str(e)},
                 status=status.HTTP_500_INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
             )