diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c
index 2158e2c7c6..1442853e31 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c
@@ -101,11 +101,6 @@ gst_gl_display_finalize (GObject * object)
 
   g_mutex_clear (&display->mutex);
 
-  if (display->error_message) {
-    g_free (display->error_message);
-    display->error_message = NULL;
-  }
-
   if (display->gl_vtable) {
     g_slice_free (GstGLFuncs, display->gl_vtable);
     display->gl_vtable = NULL;
@@ -125,21 +120,6 @@ gst_gl_display_finalize (GObject * object)
 
 /* Called in the gl thread */
 
-void
-gst_gl_display_set_error (GstGLDisplay * display, const char *format, ...)
-{
-  va_list args;
-
-  if (display->error_message)
-    g_free (display->error_message);
-
-  va_start (args, format);
-  display->error_message = g_strdup_vprintf (format, args);
-  va_end (args);
-
-  GST_WARNING ("%s", display->error_message);
-}
-
 void
 gst_gl_display_thread_run_generic (GstGLDisplay * display)
 {
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.h b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.h
index 1a1f184701..dc513db6bc 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.h
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.h
@@ -75,8 +75,6 @@ typedef enum
  */
 typedef void (*GstGLDisplayThreadFunc) (GstGLDisplay * display, gpointer data);
 
-#define GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG(obj) ("%s", GST_GL_DISPLAY_CAST(obj)->error_message)
-
 /**
  * GstGLDisplay:
  *
@@ -95,8 +93,6 @@ struct _GstGLDisplay
   /* foreign gl context */
   gulong         external_gl_context;
 
-  gchar *error_message;
-
   GstGLFuncs *gl_vtable;
 
   GstGLDisplayPrivate *priv;
@@ -115,9 +111,6 @@ void gst_gl_display_thread_add (GstGLDisplay * display,
 
 gulong gst_gl_display_get_internal_gl_context (GstGLDisplay * display);
 
-/* Must be called inside a lock/unlock on display, or within the glthread */
-void gst_gl_display_set_error (GstGLDisplay * display, const char * format, ...);
-
 void gst_gl_display_lock (GstGLDisplay * display);
 void gst_gl_display_unlock (GstGLDisplay * display);
 GstGLAPI gst_gl_display_get_gl_api (GstGLDisplay * display);
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglfilter.c b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglfilter.c
index 102795fa03..0d2070c5ba 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglfilter.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglfilter.c
@@ -764,7 +764,7 @@ wrong_caps:
 display_error:
   {
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (filter, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (filter->display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglmixer.c b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglmixer.c
index bebb941154..512ba1ef78 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglmixer.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglmixer.c
@@ -1154,7 +1154,7 @@ done:
 display_error:
   {
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (mix, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (mix->display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return FALSE;
   }
 }
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.c b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.c
index 4ec717a95e..4e8cc4203f 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.c
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ static void _del_fbo (GstGLDisplay * display);
 static void _gen_shader (GstGLDisplay * display);
 static void _del_shader (GstGLDisplay * display);
 
+static gchar *error_message;
+
 static void
 gst_gl_display_gen_texture_window_cb (GstGLDisplay * display)
 {
@@ -452,6 +454,26 @@ gst_gl_display_gen_shader (GstGLDisplay * display,
   return alive;
 }
 
+void
+gst_gl_display_set_error (GstGLDisplay * display, const char *format, ...)
+{
+  va_list args;
+
+  if (error_message)
+    g_free (error_message);
+
+  va_start (args, format);
+  error_message = g_strdup_vprintf (format, args);
+  va_end (args);
+
+  GST_WARNING ("%s", error_message);
+}
+
+gchar *
+gst_gl_display_get_error (void)
+{
+  return error_message;
+}
 
 /* Called by glfilter */
 void
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.h b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.h
index 6a735bafa0..aba5001426 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.h
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstglutils.h
@@ -102,4 +102,7 @@ void gst_gl_display_del_shader (GstGLDisplay * display, GstGLShader * shader);
 gboolean gst_gl_display_check_framebuffer_status (GstGLDisplay * display);
 void gst_gl_display_activate_gl_context (GstGLDisplay * display, gboolean activate);
 
+void gst_gl_display_set_error (GstGLDisplay * display, const char * format, ...);
+gchar *gst_gl_display_get_error (void);
+
 #endif /* __GST_GL_UTILS_H__ */
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectbulge.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectbulge.c
index e124db6be8..74b9571262 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectbulge.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectbulge.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_bulge_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           bulge_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize bulge shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectfisheye.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectfisheye.c
index a64fd7015f..d818dcc454 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectfisheye.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectfisheye.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_fisheye_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           fisheye_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize fisheye shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectglow.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectglow.c
index 1b41259288..5c7b148623 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectglow.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectglow.c
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_glow_step_one (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize luma threshold shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_glow_step_two (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           hconv7_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize hconv7 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_glow_step_three (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           vconv7_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize vcon7 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_glow_step_four (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           sum_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize sum shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectlumatocurve.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectlumatocurve.c
index 24a5b8acdd..21de8058ec 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectlumatocurve.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectlumatocurve.c
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_luma_to_curve (GstGLEffects * effects,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize luma to curve shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectmirror.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectmirror.c
index 7fd2473374..29d01f034f 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectmirror.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectmirror.c
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_mirror_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           error = NULL;
           gst_gl_shader_use (NULL);
           GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-              GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+              ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
         } else {
           effects->draw_attr_position_loc =
               gst_gl_shader_get_attribute_location (shader, "a_position");
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_mirror_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
         gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
             "Failed to initialize mirror shader");
         GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-            GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+            ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
         return;
       }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectrgbtocurve.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectrgbtocurve.c
index 192d01d6f6..0c4d55e735 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectrgbtocurve.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectrgbtocurve.c
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_rgb_to_curve (GstGLEffects * effects,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize rgb to curve shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsin.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsin.c
index 2926fdfcb0..73240ac8d4 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsin.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsin.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_sin_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           sin_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize sin shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsquare.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsquare.c
index a54104bd22..9057e3b5bf 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsquare.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsquare.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_square_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           square_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize square shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsqueeze.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsqueeze.c
index 0cdadfc86b..0a8d61ab0f 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsqueeze.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectsqueeze.c
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_squeeze_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           error = NULL;
           gst_gl_shader_use (NULL);
           GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-              GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+              ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
         } else {
           effects->draw_attr_position_loc =
               gst_gl_shader_get_attribute_location (shader, "a_position");
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_squeeze_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
         gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
             "Failed to initialize squeeze shader");
         GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-            GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+            ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
         return;
       }
     }
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectstretch.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectstretch.c
index 6d217bcda0..f9535f8e74 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectstretch.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectstretch.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_stretch_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           stretch_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize stretch shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttunnel.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttunnel.c
index 0d37aacd18..983d07f1ab 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttunnel.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttunnel.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_tunnel_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           tunnel_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize tunnel shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttwirl.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttwirl.c
index 494c9fbaec..8e3b2b31cf 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttwirl.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffecttwirl.c
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_twirl_callback (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           twirl_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize twirl shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectxray.c b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectxray.c
index eef63d8355..e759d6cbc3 100644
--- a/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectxray.c
+++ b/gst/gl/effects/gstgleffectxray.c
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_step_two (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           hconv7_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize hconv7 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_step_three (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           vconv7_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize vconv7 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_desaturate (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize desaturate shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_sobel_hconv (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize sobel hvonc3 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_sobel_vconv (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize sobel vconv3 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_sobel_length (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display,
         "Failed to initialize seobel length shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ gst_gl_effects_xray_step_five (gint width, gint height, guint texture,
           multiply_fragment_source, GST_GL_SHADER_FRAGMENT_SOURCE)) {
     gst_gl_display_set_error (display, "Failed to initialize multiply shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (effects, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/gst/gl/gstgldifferencematte.c b/gst/gl/gstgldifferencematte.c
index e7a5444ba2..ac41ff32ac 100644
--- a/gst/gl/gstgldifferencematte.c
+++ b/gst/gl/gstgldifferencematte.c
@@ -106,8 +106,7 @@ gst_gl_differencematte_init_gl_resources (GstGLFilter * filter)
     gst_gl_display_set_error (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display,
         "Failed to initialize difference shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (differencematte, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display),
-        (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -116,8 +115,7 @@ gst_gl_differencematte_init_gl_resources (GstGLFilter * filter)
     gst_gl_display_set_error (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display,
         "Failed to initialize hconv7 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (differencematte, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display),
-        (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -126,8 +124,7 @@ gst_gl_differencematte_init_gl_resources (GstGLFilter * filter)
     gst_gl_display_set_error (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display,
         "Failed to initialize vconv7 shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (differencematte, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display),
-        (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 
@@ -136,8 +133,7 @@ gst_gl_differencematte_init_gl_resources (GstGLFilter * filter)
     gst_gl_display_set_error (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display,
         "Failed to initialize interp shader");
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (differencematte, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (GST_GL_FILTER (differencematte)->display),
-        (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return;
   }
 }
diff --git a/gst/gl/gstglimagesink.c b/gst/gl/gstglimagesink.c
index 22f72ff14d..cacc13cd03 100644
--- a/gst/gl/gstglimagesink.c
+++ b/gst/gl/gstglimagesink.c
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ gst_glimage_sink_render (GstBaseSink * bsink, GstBuffer * buf)
 
   if (g_atomic_int_get (&glimage_sink->to_quit) != 0) {
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (glimage_sink, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (glimage_sink->display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return GST_FLOW_ERROR;
   }
 
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ redisplay_failed:
   {
     gst_video_frame_unmap (&frame);
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (glimage_sink, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (glimage_sink->display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return GST_FLOW_ERROR;
   }
 }
diff --git a/gst/gl/gstgltestsrc.c b/gst/gl/gstgltestsrc.c
index ee93a4934b..39deca4c20 100644
--- a/gst/gl/gstgltestsrc.c
+++ b/gst/gl/gstgltestsrc.c
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ wrong_caps:
 display_error:
   {
     GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (gltestsrc, RESOURCE, NOT_FOUND,
-        GST_GL_DISPLAY_ERR_MSG (gltestsrc->display), (NULL));
+        ("%s", gst_gl_display_get_error ()), (NULL));
     return FALSE;
   }
 }