diff --git a/libmpv/client.h b/libmpv/client.h
index 58606d6e68..b895d600ed 100644
--- a/libmpv/client.h
+++ b/libmpv/client.h
@@ -329,7 +329,11 @@ typedef enum mpv_error {
     /**
      * The API function which was called is a stub only.
      */
-    MPV_ERROR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED   = -19
+    MPV_ERROR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED   = -19,
+    /**
+     * Unspecified error.
+     */
+    MPV_ERROR_GENERIC           = -20
 } mpv_error;
 
 /**
diff --git a/player/client.c b/player/client.c
index f5a321b41d..abe8ebfe61 100644
--- a/player/client.c
+++ b/player/client.c
@@ -1592,6 +1592,7 @@ static const char *const err_table[] = {
     [-MPV_ERROR_UNKNOWN_FORMAT] = "unrecognized file format",
     [-MPV_ERROR_UNSUPPORTED] = "not supported",
     [-MPV_ERROR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED] = "operation not implemented",
+    [-MPV_ERROR_GENERIC] = "something happened",
 };
 
 const char *mpv_error_string(int error)