diff --git a/error.c b/error.c
index 9d7b35f..0e10373 100644
--- a/error.c
+++ b/error.c
@@ -37,9 +37,8 @@
     err = g_malloc0(sizeof(*err));
 
     va_start(ap, fmt);
-    err->obj = qobject_to_qdict(qobject_from_jsonv(fmt, &ap));
+    err->msg = g_strdup_vprintf(fmt, ap);
     va_end(ap);
-    err->msg = qerror_format(fmt, err->obj);
     err->err_class = err_class;
 
     *errp = err;
diff --git a/error.h b/error.h
index 5336fc5..96fc203 100644
--- a/error.h
+++ b/error.h
@@ -17,15 +17,15 @@
 #include <stdbool.h>
 
 /**
- * A class representing internal errors within QEMU.  An error has a string
- * typename and optionally a set of named string parameters.
+ * A class representing internal errors within QEMU.  An error has a ErrorClass
+ * code and a human message.
  */
 typedef struct Error Error;
 
 /**
- * Set an indirect pointer to an error given a printf-style format parameter.
- * Currently, qerror.h defines these error formats.  This function is not
- * meant to be used outside of QEMU.
+ * Set an indirect pointer to an error given a ErrorClass value and a
+ * printf-style human message.  This function is not meant to be used outside
+ * of QEMU.
  */
 void error_set(Error **err, ErrorClass err_class, const char *fmt, ...) GCC_FMT_ATTR(3, 4);
 
diff --git a/qerror.c b/qerror.c
index 0bf8aec..dda1427 100644
--- a/qerror.c
+++ b/qerror.c
@@ -342,45 +342,6 @@
     return qerr;
 }
 
-static QDict *error_obj_from_fmt_no_fail(const char *fmt, va_list *va)
-{
-    QObject *obj;
-    QDict *ret;
-
-    obj = qobject_from_jsonv(fmt, va);
-    if (!obj) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "invalid json in error dict '%s'\n", fmt);
-        abort();
-    }
-    if (qobject_type(obj) != QTYPE_QDICT) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "error is not a dict '%s'\n", fmt);
-        abort();
-    }
-
-    ret = qobject_to_qdict(obj);
-    obj = qdict_get(ret, "class");
-    if (!obj) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "missing 'class' key in '%s'\n", fmt);
-        abort();
-    }
-    if (qobject_type(obj) != QTYPE_QSTRING) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "'class' key value should be a string in '%s'\n", fmt);
-        abort();
-    }
-
-    obj = qdict_get(ret, "data");
-    if (!obj) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "missing 'data' key in '%s'\n", fmt);
-        abort();
-    }
-    if (qobject_type(obj) != QTYPE_QDICT) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "'data' key value should be a dict in '%s'\n", fmt);
-        abort();
-    }
-
-    return ret;
-}
-
 /**
  * qerror_from_info(): Create a new QError from error information
  *
@@ -394,9 +355,8 @@
     qerr = qerror_new();
     loc_save(&qerr->loc);
 
+    qerr->err_msg = g_strdup_vprintf(fmt, *va);
     qerr->err_class = err_class;
-    qerr->error = error_obj_from_fmt_no_fail(fmt, va);
-    qerr->err_msg = qerror_format(fmt, qerr->error);
 
     return qerr;
 }
diff --git a/qerror.h b/qerror.h
index 4f92218..057a8f2 100644
--- a/qerror.h
+++ b/qerror.h
@@ -45,214 +45,213 @@
  * Use scripts/check-qerror.sh to check.
  */
 #define QERR_ADD_CLIENT_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'AddClientFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Could not add client"
 
 #define QERR_AMBIGUOUS_PATH \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'AmbiguousPath', 'data': { 'path': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Path '%s' does not uniquely identify an object"
 
 #define QERR_BAD_BUS_FOR_DEVICE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'BadBusForDevice', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'bad_bus_type': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' can't go on a %s bus"
 
 #define QERR_BASE_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'BaseNotFound', 'data': { 'base': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Base '%s' not found"
 
 #define QERR_BLOCK_FORMAT_FEATURE_NOT_SUPPORTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'BlockFormatFeatureNotSupported', 'data': { 'format': %s, 'name': %s, 'feature': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Block format '%s' used by device '%s' does not support feature '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_BUFFER_OVERRUN \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'BufferOverrun', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "An internal buffer overran"
 
 #define QERR_BUS_NO_HOTPLUG \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'BusNoHotplug', 'data': { 'bus': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Bus '%s' does not support hotplugging"
 
 #define QERR_BUS_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'BusNotFound', 'data': { 'bus': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Bus '%s' not found"
 
 #define QERR_COMMAND_DISABLED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'CommandDisabled', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "The command %s has been disabled for this instance"
 
 #define QERR_COMMAND_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_COMMAND_NOT_FOUND, "{ 'class': 'CommandNotFound', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_COMMAND_NOT_FOUND, "The command %s has not been found"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_ENCRYPTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_DEVICE_ENCRYPTED, "{ 'class': 'DeviceEncrypted', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'filename': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_DEVICE_ENCRYPTED, "'%s' (%s) is encrypted"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_FEATURE_BLOCKS_MIGRATION \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceFeatureBlocksMigration', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'feature': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Migration is disabled when using feature '%s' in device '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_HAS_NO_MEDIUM \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceHasNoMedium', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' has no medium"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_INIT_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceInitFailed', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' could not be initialized"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_IN_USE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceInUse', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' is in use"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_IS_READ_ONLY \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceIsReadOnly', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' is read only"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_LOCKED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceLocked', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' is locked"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_MULTIPLE_BUSSES \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceMultipleBusses', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' has multiple child busses"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_NO_BUS \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceNoBus', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' has no child bus"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_NO_HOTPLUG \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceNoHotplug', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' does not support hotplugging"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_NOT_ACTIVE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_DEVICE_NOT_ACTIVE, "{ 'class': 'DeviceNotActive', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_DEVICE_NOT_ACTIVE, "Device '%s' has not been activated"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_NOT_ENCRYPTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceNotEncrypted', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' is not encrypted"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, "{ 'class': 'DeviceNotFound', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, "Device '%s' not found"
 
 #define QERR_DEVICE_NOT_REMOVABLE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DeviceNotRemovable', 'data': { 'device': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Device '%s' is not removable"
 
 #define QERR_DUPLICATE_ID \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'DuplicateId', 'data': { 'id': %s, 'object': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Duplicate ID '%s' for %s"
 
 #define QERR_FD_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'FdNotFound', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "File descriptor named '%s' not found"
 
 #define QERR_FD_NOT_SUPPLIED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'FdNotSupplied', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "No file descriptor supplied via SCM_RIGHTS"
 
 #define QERR_FEATURE_DISABLED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'FeatureDisabled', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "The feature '%s' is not enabled"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_BLOCK_FORMAT \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidBlockFormat', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Invalid block format '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_OPTION_GROUP \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidOptionGroup', 'data': { 'group': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "There is no option group '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_PARAMETER \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidParameter', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Invalid parameter '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_PARAMETER_COMBINATION \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidParameterCombination', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Invalid parameter combination"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_PARAMETER_TYPE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidParameterType', 'data': { 'name': %s,'expected': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Invalid parameter type for '%s', expected: %s"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_PARAMETER_VALUE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidParameterValue', 'data': { 'name': %s, 'expected': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Parameter '%s' expects %s"
 
 #define QERR_INVALID_PASSWORD \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'InvalidPassword', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Password incorrect"
 
 #define QERR_IO_ERROR \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'IOError', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "An IO error has occurred"
 
 #define QERR_JSON_PARSE_ERROR \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'JSONParseError', 'data': { 'message': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "JSON parse error, %s"
 
 #define QERR_JSON_PARSING \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'JSONParsing', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Invalid JSON syntax"
 
 #define QERR_KVM_MISSING_CAP \
-    ERROR_CLASS_K_V_M_MISSING_CAP, "{ 'class': 'KVMMissingCap', 'data': { 'capability': %s, 'feature': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_K_V_M_MISSING_CAP, "Using KVM without %s, %s unavailable"
 
 #define QERR_MIGRATION_ACTIVE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'MigrationActive', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "There's a migration process in progress"
 
 #define QERR_MIGRATION_NOT_SUPPORTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'MigrationNotSupported', 'data': {'device': %s} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "State blocked by non-migratable device '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_MIGRATION_EXPECTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_MIGRATION_EXPECTED, "{ 'class': 'MigrationExpected', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_MIGRATION_EXPECTED, "An incoming migration is expected before this command can be executed"
 
 #define QERR_MISSING_PARAMETER \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'MissingParameter', 'data': { 'name': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Parameter '%s' is missing"
 
 #define QERR_NO_BUS_FOR_DEVICE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'NoBusForDevice', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'bus': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "No '%s' bus found for device '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_NOT_SUPPORTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'NotSupported', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Not supported"
 
 #define QERR_OPEN_FILE_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'OpenFileFailed', 'data': { 'filename': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Could not open '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_PERMISSION_DENIED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PermissionDenied', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Insufficient permission to perform this operation"
 
 #define QERR_PROPERTY_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PropertyNotFound', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'property': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Property '%s.%s' not found"
 
 #define QERR_PROPERTY_VALUE_BAD \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PropertyValueBad', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'property': %s, 'value': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Property '%s.%s' doesn't take value '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_PROPERTY_VALUE_IN_USE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PropertyValueInUse', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'property': %s, 'value': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Property '%s.%s' can't take value '%s', it's in use"
 
 #define QERR_PROPERTY_VALUE_NOT_FOUND \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PropertyValueNotFound', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'property': %s, 'value': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Property '%s.%s' can't find value '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_PROPERTY_VALUE_NOT_POWER_OF_2 \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PropertyValueNotPowerOf2', 'data': { " \
-    "'device': %s, 'property': %s, 'value': %"PRId64" } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Property %s.%s doesn't take value '%" PRId64 "', it's not a power of 2"
 
 #define QERR_PROPERTY_VALUE_OUT_OF_RANGE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'PropertyValueOutOfRange', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'property': %s, 'value': %"PRId64", 'min': %"PRId64", 'max': %"PRId64" } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Property %s.%s doesn't take value %" PRId64 " (minimum: %" PRId64 ", maximum: %" PRId64 ")"
 
 #define QERR_QGA_COMMAND_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'QgaCommandFailed', 'data': { 'message': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Guest agent command failed, error was '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_QGA_LOGGING_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'QgaLoggingFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Guest agent failed to log non-optional log statement"
 
 #define QERR_QMP_BAD_INPUT_OBJECT \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'QMPBadInputObject', 'data': { 'expected': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Expected '%s' in QMP input"
 
 #define QERR_QMP_BAD_INPUT_OBJECT_MEMBER \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'QMPBadInputObjectMember', 'data': { 'member': %s, 'expected': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "QMP input object member '%s' expects '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_QMP_EXTRA_MEMBER \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'QMPExtraInputObjectMember', 'data': { 'member': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "QMP input object member '%s' is unexpected"
 
 #define QERR_RESET_REQUIRED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'ResetRequired', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Resetting the Virtual Machine is required"
 
 #define QERR_SET_PASSWD_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'SetPasswdFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Could not set password"
 
 #define QERR_TOO_MANY_FILES \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'TooManyFiles', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Too many open files"
 
 #define QERR_UNDEFINED_ERROR \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'UndefinedError', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "An undefined error has occurred"
 
 #define QERR_UNKNOWN_BLOCK_FORMAT_FEATURE \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'UnknownBlockFormatFeature', 'data': { 'device': %s, 'format': %s, 'feature': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "'%s' uses a %s feature which is not supported by this qemu version: %s"
 
 #define QERR_UNSUPPORTED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'Unsupported', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "this feature or command is not currently supported"
 
 #define QERR_VIRTFS_FEATURE_BLOCKS_MIGRATION \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'VirtFSFeatureBlocksMigration', 'data': { 'path': %s, 'tag': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Migration is disabled when VirtFS export path '%s' is mounted in the guest using mount_tag '%s'"
 
 #define QERR_VNC_SERVER_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'VNCServerFailed', 'data': { 'target': %s } }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Could not start VNC server on %s"
 
 #define QERR_SOCKET_CONNECT_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'SockConnectFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Failed to connect to socket"
 
 #define QERR_SOCKET_LISTEN_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'SockListenFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Failed to set socket to listening mode"
 
 #define QERR_SOCKET_BIND_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'SockBindFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Failed to bind socket"
 
 #define QERR_SOCKET_CREATE_FAILED \
-    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "{ 'class': 'SockCreateFailed', 'data': {} }"
+    ERROR_CLASS_GENERIC_ERROR, "Failed to create socket"
 
 #endif /* QERROR_H */