diff --git a/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/SerializerException.java b/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/SerializerException.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d4d6b790b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/SerializerException.java
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2011 jMonkeyEngine
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ * * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * * Neither the name of 'jMonkeyEngine' nor the names of its contributors
+ *   may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
+ *   without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
+ * TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+ * PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR
+ * CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
+ * EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+ * PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
+ * PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
+ * LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
+ * NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
+ * SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+package com.jme3.network.serializing;
+
+import java.io.IOException;
+
+/**
+ *  A general exception from the serialization routines.
+ *
+ *  @version   $Revision$
+ *  @author    Paul Speed
+ */
+public class SerializerException extends IOException
+{
+    public SerializerException( String msg, Throwable cause )
+    {
+        super( msg );
+        initCause(cause);
+    }
+
+    public SerializerException( String msg )
+    {
+        super( msg );
+    }      
+}
diff --git a/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/serializers/FieldSerializer.java b/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/serializers/FieldSerializer.java
index 05ce82a06..742e5c45c 100644
--- a/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/serializers/FieldSerializer.java
+++ b/engine/src/networking/com/jme3/network/serializing/serializers/FieldSerializer.java
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ package com.jme3.network.serializing.serializers;
 
 import com.jme3.network.message.Message;
 import com.jme3.network.serializing.Serializer;
+import com.jme3.network.serializing.SerializerException;
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.lang.reflect.Field;
 import java.lang.reflect.Modifier;
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ public class FieldSerializer extends Serializer {
             try {
                 field.set(object, value);
             } catch (IllegalAccessException e) {
-                throw new IOException(e.toString());
+                throw new SerializerException( "Error reading object", e);
             }
         }
         return object;
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ public class FieldSerializer extends Serializer {
                 throw boe;
             } catch (Exception e) {
                 log.log(Level.WARNING, "[FieldSerializer][???] Exception occurred on writing. Maybe you've forgotten to register a class, or maybe a class member does not have a serializer.");
-                throw new IOException(e.toString());
+                throw new SerializerException( "Error writing object", e);
             }
         }
     }