diff --git a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/crypto/random/CryptoRandomFactory.java b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/crypto/random/CryptoRandomFactory.java
index fd6384dd1..8239ae0a7 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/crypto/random/CryptoRandomFactory.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/crypto/random/CryptoRandomFactory.java
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ public static CryptoRandom getCryptoRandom(final Properties props)
                 lastException = e;
                 errorMessage.append("CryptoRandom: [" + className + "] failed with " + e.getMessage());
             } catch (final ExceptionInInitializerError initializerError) {
-                Throwable t = initializerError.getException();
+                Throwable t = initializerError.getCause();
                 if (t instanceof Exception) {
                     lastException = (Exception) t;
                     errorMessage.append("CryptoRandom: [" + className + "] initialization failed with " + t.getMessage());