diff --git a/components/esm_store/cell_store.hpp b/components/esm_store/cell_store.hpp
index 4e8749464..6acd81dce 100644
--- a/components/esm_store/cell_store.hpp
+++ b/components/esm_store/cell_store.hpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ namespace ESMS
         cell = store.cells.searchExt (X, Y);
 
         if(cell == NULL)
-            throw str_exception("Exterior cell not found");
+            throw std::runtime_error("Exterior cell not found");
 
         loadRefs(store, esm);
     }