diff --git a/static/js/services/i18n.js b/static/js/services/i18n.js
index 440b1aca5..1e314cab4 100644
--- a/static/js/services/i18n.js
+++ b/static/js/services/i18n.js
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
     }
 
     function getTranslation(id) {
+      if (!translations[id]) {
+        return '(translation missing for »' + id + '«)';
+      }
       return translations[id];
     }