diff --git a/compiler/cpp/src/thrifty.yy b/compiler/cpp/src/thrifty.yy
index 2b09972..0b87386 100644
--- a/compiler/cpp/src/thrifty.yy
+++ b/compiler/cpp/src/thrifty.yy
@@ -766,6 +766,10 @@
     {
       pdebug("Throws -> tok_throws ( FieldList )");
       $$ = $3;
+      if (!validate_throws($$)) {
+        yyerror("Throws clause may not contain non-exception types");
+        exit(1);
+      }
     }
 |
     {