diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
index 329628c..9555b97 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
@@ -376,8 +376,9 @@ async def run_generation(
                                 buf.content_so_far += done_text
                             except Exception as e:
                                 logger.exception("Research pipeline failed for topic: %s", topic)
-                                result = {"success": False, "error": str(e)}
-                                err_text = f"\nResearch failed: {e}"
+                                err_msg = str(e) or f"{type(e).__name__}: unexpected error"
+                                result = {"success": False, "error": err_msg}
+                                err_text = f"\nResearch failed: {err_msg}"
                                 buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": err_text})
                                 buf.content_so_far += err_text
                             research_completed = True