diff --git a/tests/test_execution_styles.py b/tests/test_execution_styles.py
index dc1b44c5..5f567886 100644
--- a/tests/test_execution_styles.py
+++ b/tests/test_execution_styles.py
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ from zipline.utils.test_utils import(
     teardown_logger,
 )
 
+from zipline.errors import(
+    BadOrderParameters
+)
+
 
 class ExecutionStyleTestCase(TestCase):
     """
@@ -58,7 +62,19 @@ class ExecutionStyleTestCase(TestCase):
         for delta in range(1, 10)
     ]
 
-    INVALID_PRICES = [(-1,), (-1.0,), (0 - epsilon,)]
+    class ArbitraryObject():
+        def __str__(self):
+            return """This should yield a bad order error when
+            passed as a stop or limit price."""
+
+    INVALID_PRICES = [
+        (-1,),
+        (-1.0,),
+        (0 - epsilon,),
+        (float('nan'),),
+        (float('inf'),),
+        (ArbitraryObject(),),
+    ]
 
     def setUp(self):
         setup_logger(self)
@@ -72,14 +88,14 @@ class ExecutionStyleTestCase(TestCase):
         Test that execution styles throw appropriate exceptions upon receipt
         of an invalid price field.
         """
-        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+        with self.assertRaises(BadOrderParameters):
             LimitOrder(price)
 
-        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+        with self.assertRaises(BadOrderParameters):
             StopOrder(price)
 
         for lmt, stp in [(price, 1), (1, price), (price, price)]:
-            with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            with self.assertRaises(BadOrderParameters):
                 StopLimitOrder(lmt, stp)
 
     def test_market_order_prices(self):
diff --git a/zipline/errors.py b/zipline/errors.py
index 061dd246..4d92706d 100644
--- a/zipline/errors.py
+++ b/zipline/errors.py
@@ -137,6 +137,14 @@ class UnsupportedOrderParameters(ZiplineError):
     msg = "{msg}"
 
 
+class BadOrderParameters(ZiplineError):
+    """
+    Raised if any impossible parameters (nan, negative limit/stop)
+    are passed to an order call.
+    """
+    msg = "{msg}"
+
+
 class OrderDuringInitialize(ZiplineError):
     """
     Raised if order is called during initialize()
diff --git a/zipline/finance/execution.py b/zipline/finance/execution.py
index 368d7c25..4423e60b 100644
--- a/zipline/finance/execution.py
+++ b/zipline/finance/execution.py
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ from six import with_metaclass
 
 import zipline.utils.math_utils as zp_math
 
+from numpy import isfinite
+
+from zipline.errors import BadOrderParameters
+
 
 class ExecutionStyle(with_metaclass(abc.ABCMeta)):
     """
@@ -77,8 +81,9 @@ class LimitOrder(ExecutionStyle):
         """
         Store the given price.
         """
-        if limit_price < 0:
-            raise ValueError("Can't place a limit with a negative price.")
+
+        check_stoplimit_prices(limit_price, 'limit')
+
         self.limit_price = limit_price
         self._exchange = exchange
 
@@ -98,10 +103,9 @@ class StopOrder(ExecutionStyle):
         """
         Store the given price.
         """
-        if stop_price < 0:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Can't place a stop order with a negative price."
-            )
+
+        check_stoplimit_prices(stop_price, 'stop')
+
         self.stop_price = stop_price
         self._exchange = exchange
 
@@ -121,14 +125,10 @@ class StopLimitOrder(ExecutionStyle):
         """
         Store the given prices
         """
-        if limit_price < 0:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Can't place a limit with a negative price."
-            )
-        if stop_price < 0:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Can't place a stop order with a negative price."
-            )
+
+        check_stoplimit_prices(limit_price, 'limit')
+
+        check_stoplimit_prices(stop_price, 'stop')
 
         self.limit_price = limit_price
         self.stop_price = stop_price
@@ -169,3 +169,28 @@ def asymmetric_round_price_to_penny(price, prefer_round_down,
     if zp_math.tolerant_equals(rounded, 0.0):
         return 0.0
     return rounded
+
+
+def check_stoplimit_prices(price, label):
+    """
+    Check to make sure the stop/limit prices are reasonable and raise
+    a BadOrderParameters exception if not.
+    """
+    try:
+        if not isfinite(price):
+            raise BadOrderParameters(
+                msg="""Attempted to place an order with a {} price
+                of {}.""".format(label, price)
+            )
+    # This catches arbitrary objects
+    except TypeError:
+        raise BadOrderParameters(
+            msg="""Attempted to place an order with a {} price
+            of {}.""".format(label, type(price))
+        )
+
+    if price < 0:
+        raise BadOrderParameters(
+            msg="""Can't place a {} order
+             with a negative price.""".format(label)
+        )