diff --git a/stegano/slsbset.py b/stegano/slsbset.py
index 91021bc..f41e4cd 100644
--- a/stegano/slsbset.py
+++ b/stegano/slsbset.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def hide(input_image_file, message, generator_function):
 
     npixels = width * height
     if len(message_bits) > npixels * 3:
-        return """Too long message (%s > %s).""" % (len(message_bits), npixels * 3)
+        raise Exception("""The message you want to hide is too long (%s > %s).""" % (len(message_bits), npixels * 3))
 
     generator = getattr(generators, generator_function)()
     
@@ -180,4 +180,4 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
             with open(options.secret_binary, "w") as f:
                 f.write(data)
         else:
-            print secret
\ No newline at end of file
+            print secret