diff --git a/src/edu/internet2/jenkins/DockerBuild.groovy b/src/edu/internet2/jenkins/DockerBuild.groovy
index 2f1cf14..a1230f6 100644
--- a/src/edu/internet2/jenkins/DockerBuild.groovy
+++ b/src/edu/internet2/jenkins/DockerBuild.groovy
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class DockerBuild implements Serializable {
   def maintainer() {
     def m = readCommonBash('maintainer')
     if(m == null){
-      throw "Maintainer must be defined in common.bash"
+      throw new RuntimeException("Maintainer must be defined in common.bash")
     }else{
       m
     }