diff --git a/es/ae/index.js b/es/ae/index.js
index 6606e31254..5152116bcb 100644
--- a/es/ae/index.js
+++ b/es/ae/index.js
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ async function resolveRecipientName (nameOrAddress, { verify = false }) {
     }
     return produceNameId(nameOrAddress)
   }
+  throw new Error('Invalid recipient name or address: ' + nameOrAddress)
 }
 
 /**