diff --git a/MysqliDb.php b/MysqliDb.php
index aa099b00..5988a5b9 100644
--- a/MysqliDb.php
+++ b/MysqliDb.php
@@ -1469,8 +1469,9 @@ protected function _buildLimit($numRows)
     protected function _prepareQuery()
     {
         if (!$stmt = $this->mysqli()->prepare($this->_query)) {
+            $msg = "Problem preparing query ($this->_query) " . $this->mysqli()->error;
             $this->reset();
-            throw new Exception("Problem preparing query ($this->_query) " . $this->mysqli()->error);
+            throw new Exception($msg);
         }
 
         if ($this->traceEnabled) {