diff --git a/src/easeljs/display/Sprite.js b/src/easeljs/display/Sprite.js
index c9f6bf4c8..9e7e199f2 100644
--- a/src/easeljs/display/Sprite.js
+++ b/src/easeljs/display/Sprite.js
@@ -464,6 +464,8 @@ this.createjs = this.createjs||{};
 				this._animation = data;
 				this.currentAnimation = frameOrAnimation;
 				this._normalizeFrame(frame);
+			} else {
+				console.error('no frame or animation named:' + frameOrAnimation)
 			}
 		} else {
 			this.currentAnimation = this._animation = null;