diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Connection/UnitOfWork.php b/lib/Doctrine/Connection/UnitOfWork.php
index d8effa1c8..e679f96b6 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/Connection/UnitOfWork.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Connection/UnitOfWork.php
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ class Doctrine_Connection_UnitOfWork extends Doctrine_Connection_Module
                 $id = $this->conn->sequence->lastInsertId($seq);
     
                 if ( ! $id) {
-                    $id = $table->getMaxIdentifier();
+                    throw new Doctrine_Connection_Exception("Couldn't get last insert identifier.");
                 }
     
                 $record->assignIdentifier($id);
@@ -622,4 +622,4 @@ class Doctrine_Connection_UnitOfWork extends Doctrine_Connection_Module
 
         return true;
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}