diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
index 74295dd454..722639f3bb 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
@@ -48,10 +48,13 @@ __builtins__['bb'] = bb
 __builtins__['os'] = os
 
 class FuncFailed(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, name, logfile = None):
+    def __init__(self, name = None, logfile = None):
         self.logfile = logfile
         self.name = name
-        self.msg = "Function '%s' failed" % name
+        if name:
+            self.msg = "Function '%s' failed" % name
+        else:
+            self.msg = "Function failed"
 
     def __str__(self):
         if self.logfile and os.path.exists(self.logfile):