diff --git a/frappe/__init__.py b/frappe/__init__.py
index cd662cd6cb..21a90069c5 100644
--- a/frappe/__init__.py
+++ b/frappe/__init__.py
@@ -339,6 +339,10 @@ def msgprint(msg, title=None, raise_exception=0, as_table=False, indicator=None,
 		out.alert = 1
 
 	message_log.append(json.dumps(out))
+
+	if raise_exception:
+		local.response['exc_type'] = raise_exception.__name__
+
 	_raise_exception()
 
 def clear_messages():
diff --git a/frappe/public/js/frappe/request.js b/frappe/public/js/frappe/request.js
index eab9b41ae3..150ed2b2cf 100644
--- a/frappe/public/js/frappe/request.js
+++ b/frappe/public/js/frappe/request.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 // My HTTP Request
 
 frappe.provide('frappe.request');
+frappe.provide('frappe.request.error_handlers');
 frappe.request.url = '/';
 frappe.request.ajax_count = 0;
 frappe.request.waiting_for_ajax = [];
@@ -318,11 +319,23 @@ frappe.request.cleanup = function(opts, r) {
 			return;
 		}
 
+		// global error handlers
+		if (r.exc_type) {
+			let handlers = frappe.request.error_handlers[r.exc_type] || [];
+			handlers.forEach(handler => {
+				handler(r);
+			});
+		}
+
 		// show messages
 		if(r._server_messages && !opts.silent) {
-			r._server_messages = JSON.parse(r._server_messages);
-			frappe.hide_msgprint();
-			frappe.msgprint(r._server_messages);
+			let handlers = frappe.request.error_handlers[r.exc_type] || [];
+			// dont show server messages if their handlers exist
+			if (!handlers.length) {
+				r._server_messages = JSON.parse(r._server_messages);
+				frappe.hide_msgprint();
+				frappe.msgprint(r._server_messages);
+			}
 		}
 
 		// show errors
@@ -477,6 +490,11 @@ frappe.request.cleanup_request_opts = function(request_opts) {
 	return request_opts;
 };
 
+frappe.request.on_error = function(error_type, handler) {
+	frappe.request.error_handlers[error_type] = frappe.request.error_handlers[error_type] || [];
+	frappe.request.error_handlers[error_type].push(handler);
+}
+
 $(document).ajaxSend(function() {
 	frappe.request.ajax_count++;
 });