diff --git a/sqlite_utils/cli.py b/sqlite_utils/cli.py
index 6c40454..4208830 100644
--- a/sqlite_utils/cli.py
+++ b/sqlite_utils/cli.py
@@ -1088,7 +1088,10 @@ def query(
     _load_extensions(db, load_extension)
     db.register_fts4_bm25()
     with db.conn:
-        cursor = db.execute(sql, dict(param))
+        try:
+            cursor = db.execute(sql, dict(param))
+        except sqlite3.OperationalError as e:
+            raise click.ClickException(str(e))
         if cursor.description is None:
             # This was an update/insert
             headers = ["rows_affected"]
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index a73cdff..5cb4af0 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -1049,7 +1049,7 @@ def test_query_load_extension(use_spatialite_shortcut):
     # Without --load-extension:
     result = CliRunner().invoke(cli.cli, [":memory:", "select spatialite_version()"])
     assert result.exit_code == 1
-    assert "no such function: spatialite_version" in repr(result)
+    assert "no such function: spatialite_version" in result.output
     # With --load-extension:
     if use_spatialite_shortcut:
         load_extension = "spatialite"