diff --git a/module_build_service/common/messaging.py b/module_build_service/common/messaging.py
index 82c71ff4..60c08d58 100644
--- a/module_build_service/common/messaging.py
+++ b/module_build_service/common/messaging.py
@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ def publish(topic, msg, conf, service):
         return rv
     except Exception:
         messaging_tx_failed_counter.inc()
-        raise
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "Unable to send message to backend %r" % conf.messaging
+        )
 
 
 def _fedmsg_publish(topic, msg, conf, service):