diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js
index a15bc0a123..a75f8bf294 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js
@@ -301,7 +301,14 @@ OpenLayers.Ajax.Request.prototype = OpenLayers.Class.inherit( OpenLayers.Ajax.Ba
   },
 
   dispatchException: function(exception) {
-    (this.options.onException || OpenLayers.Ajax.emptyFunction)(this, exception);
+    if (this.options.onException) {
+        this.options.onException(this, exception);
+    } else {
+        // if we get here, Responders.dispatch('onException') will never
+        // be called. too bad. we should probably take out the Responders
+        // stuff anyway.
+        throw exception;
+    }
     OpenLayers.Ajax.Responders.dispatch('onException', this, exception);
   }
 });