diff --git a/lib/api/errors.js b/lib/api/errors.js
index 4aa2600..a6bb297 100644
--- a/lib/api/errors.js
+++ b/lib/api/errors.js
@@ -44,5 +44,5 @@ export function errorMiddleware(err, _req, res, _next) {
     return res.status(err.status).json(body);
   }
   log.error({ err }, 'unhandled');
-  res.status(500).json({ error: { code: 'internal', message: err.message } });
+  res.status(500).json({ error: { code: 'internal', message: 'internal server error' } });
 }
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index 14cc9e4..d3d3e5c 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export function createApp() {
 
   app.use((err, _req, res, _next) => {
     log.error({ err }, 'unhandled');
-    res.status(500).json({ error: { code: 'internal', message: err.message } });
+    res.status(500).json({ error: { code: 'internal', message: 'internal server error' } });
   });
 
   return app;