diff --git a/bin/bunyan b/bin/bunyan
index 995a9da8..57b11aa1 100755
--- a/bin/bunyan
+++ b/bin/bunyan
@@ -1069,7 +1069,16 @@ function emitRecord(rec, line, opts, stylize) {
         rec._cS = stylize.start;
         // Shortcut for "colorEnd"
         rec._cE = stylize.end;
-        emit(opts.template ? opts.template(rec) : 'No template defined. Use --template.' +'\n');
+
+        var out;
+        try {
+            out = opts.template ? opts.template(rec) : 'No template defined. Use --template.';
+        }
+        catch(e) {
+            // Unprocessable line, display default
+            out = JSON.stringify(rec, null, opts.jsonIndent);
+        }
+        emit(out + '\n');
         break;
     default:
         throw new Error('unknown output mode: '+opts.outputMode);