diff --git a/script.js b/script.js
index 8898ded..db99901 100644
--- a/script.js
+++ b/script.js
@@ -354,10 +354,11 @@
     function ensureFts5Available(dbHandle) {
       let stmt;
       try {
-        stmt = dbHandle.prepare('CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE temp.__fts5_check USING fts5(content TEXT)');
+        stmt = dbHandle.prepare('CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE temp.__fts5_check USING fts5(content)');
         stmt.step();
       } catch (err) {
-        throw new Error('SQLite build missing FTS5 support; search requires an fts5-enabled wasm');
+        const reason = err && err.message ? err.message : String(err);
+        throw new Error(`FTS5 verification failed (${reason}). Ensure the SQLite WASM build includes FTS5.`);
       } finally {
         try { if (stmt) stmt.free(); } catch (_) {}
         try { dbHandle.exec('DROP TABLE IF EXISTS temp.__fts5_check'); } catch (_) {}