diff --git a/src/server/api/general.js b/src/server/api/general.js
index 86de194f..21c9618b 100644
--- a/src/server/api/general.js
+++ b/src/server/api/general.js
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ export default function useGeneralApi(app) {
             ctx.status = 200;
         } catch (error) {
             console.error('Error in /search api call', ctx.session.uid, error);
-            ctx.body = JSON.stringify({ error: error.message });
+            ctx.body = JSON.stringify({ error: "An unexpected error occurred. Please try again later." });
             ctx.status = 500;
         }
     });