diff --git a/gazebo_ros2_control/src/gazebo_system.cpp b/gazebo_ros2_control/src/gazebo_system.cpp
index 7e9b4a8f..c688541c 100644
--- a/gazebo_ros2_control/src/gazebo_system.cpp
+++ b/gazebo_ros2_control/src/gazebo_system.cpp
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ void GazeboSystem::registerJoints(
                 << " and state interface " << interface_info.name
                 << ". Actual value of parameter: " << interface_info.initial_value
                 << ". Initial value will be set to 0.0");
+            throw std::invalid_argument("Failed converting initial_value string");
           }
         }
         return initial_value;