diff --git a/matlab/utilities/tests/mtest.m b/matlab/utilities/tests/mtest.m
index ae8739ef2..29f771613 100644
--- a/matlab/utilities/tests/mtest.m
+++ b/matlab/utilities/tests/mtest.m
@@ -78,11 +78,12 @@ for i=1:nn
         fprintf(tid,str);
     end
     fprintf(tid,['LOG = NaN;\n']);
-    fprintf(tid,'catch\n');
-    fprintf(tid,'exception = lasterror;\n');
     if isoctave
+        fprintf(tid,'catch\n');
+        fprintf(tid,'exception = lasterror;\n');
         fprintf(tid, 'LOG = ''%s'';\n','The Log output is not available with Octave!');
     else
+        fprintf(tid,'catch exception\n');
         fprintf(tid,['LOG = getReport(exception,''extended'');\n']);
     end
     fprintf(tid,['T = NaN;\n']);