diff --git a/python/ray/worker.py b/python/ray/worker.py
index c8012de33..5d4409d74 100644
--- a/python/ray/worker.py
+++ b/python/ray/worker.py
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ class Worker(object):
         if not self.actor_id.is_nil() and function_name == "__init__":
             self.mark_actor_init_failed(error)
         # Send signal with the error.
-        ray_signal.send(ray_signal.ErrorSignal(error))
+        ray_signal.send(ray_signal.ErrorSignal(str(failure_object)))
 
     def _wait_for_and_process_task(self, task):
         """Wait for a task to be ready and process the task.