diff --git a/fet.c b/fet.c
index ed609dd..7133838 100644
--- a/fet.c
+++ b/fet.c
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@
  * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
  * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
  * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ * Various constants and tables come from fet430uif, written by Robert
+ * Kavaler (kavaler@diva.com). This is available under the same license
+ * as this program, from www.relavak.com.
  */
 
 #include <stdio.h>
@@ -188,6 +192,70 @@ static struct {
 #define PTYPE_NAK		5
 #define PTYPE_FLASH_ACK		6
 
+/* This table is taken from fet430uif */
+static const char *error_strings[] =
+{
+        "No error",                                                     // 0
+        "Could not initialize device interface",                        // 1
+        "Could not close device interface",                             // 2
+        "Invalid parameter(s)",                                         // 3
+        "Could not find device (or device not supported)",              // 4
+        "Unknown device",                                               // 5
+        "Could not read device memory",                                 // 6
+        "Could not write device memory",                                // 7
+        "Could not read device configuration fuses",                    // 8
+        "Incorrectly configured device; device derivative not supported",// 9
+
+        "Could not set device Vcc",                                     // 10
+        "Could not reset device",                                       // 11
+        "Could not preserve/restore device memory",                     // 12
+        "Could not set device operating frequency",                     // 13
+        "Could not erase device memory",                                // 14
+        "Could not set device breakpoint",                              // 15
+        "Could not single step device",                                 // 16
+        "Could not run device (to breakpoint)",                         // 17
+        "Could not determine device state",                             // 18
+        "Could not open Enhanced Emulation Module",                     // 19
+
+        "Could not read Enhanced Emulation Module register",            // 20
+        "Could not write Enhanced Emulation Module register",           // 21
+        "Could not close Enhanced Emulation Module",                    // 22
+        "File open error",                                              // 23
+        "Could not determine file type",                                // 24
+        "Unexpected end of file encountered",                           // 25
+        "File input/output error",                                      // 26
+        "File data error",                                              // 27
+        "Verification error",                                           // 28
+        "Could not blow device security fuse",                          // 29
+
+        "Could not access device - security fuse is blown",             // 30
+        "Error within Intel Hex file",                                  // 31
+        "Could not write device Register",                              // 32
+        "Could not read device Register",                               // 33
+        "Not supported by selected Interface",                          // 34
+        "Could not communicate with FET",                               // 35
+        "No external power supply detected",                            // 36
+        "External power too low",                                       // 37
+        "External power detected",                                      // 38
+        "External power too high",                                      // 39
+
+        "Hardware Self Test Error",                                     // 40
+        "Fast Flash Routine experienced a timeout",                     // 41
+        "Could not create thread for polling",                          // 42
+        "Could not initialize Enhanced Emulation Module",               // 43
+        "Insufficient resources",                                       // 44
+        "No clock control emulation on connected device",               // 45
+        "No state storage buffer implemented on connected device",      // 46
+        "Could not read trace buffer",                                  // 47
+        "Enable the variable watch function",                           // 48
+        "No trigger sequencer implemented on connected device",         // 49
+
+        "Could not read sequencer state - Sequencer is disabled",       // 50
+        "Could not remove trigger - Used in sequencer",                 // 51
+        "Could not set combination - Trigger is used in sequencer",     // 52
+        "Invalid error number",                                         // 53
+};
+
 static int parse_packet(int plen)
 {
 	u_int16_t c = calc_checksum(fet_buf + 2, plen - 2);
@@ -213,6 +281,10 @@ static int parse_packet(int plen)
 	if (error) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "parse_packet: FET returned error code %d\n",
 			error);
+		if (error > 0 && error <
+			sizeof(error_strings) / sizeof(error_strings[0])) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "    (%s)\n", error_strings[error]);
+		}
 		return -1;
 	}