diff --git a/lib/cosmos/top_level.rb b/lib/cosmos/top_level.rb
index 4cf5b0b5a..7858708d2 100644
--- a/lib/cosmos/top_level.rb
+++ b/lib/cosmos/top_level.rb
@@ -244,6 +244,11 @@ def self.marshal_dump(marshal_filename, obj)
       rescue Exception
         # Oh well - we tried
       end
+      if exception.class == TypeError and exception.message =~ /Thread::Mutex/
+        original_backtrace = exception.backtrace
+        exception = exception.exception("Mutex exists in a packet.  Note: Packets must not be read during class initializers for Conversions, Limits Responses, etc.: #{exception}")
+        exception.set_backtrace(original_backtrace)
+      end
       self.handle_fatal_exception(exception)
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/top_level/top_level_spec.rb b/spec/top_level/top_level_spec.rb
index a04ca3a15..cad16107c 100644
--- a/spec/top_level/top_level_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/top_level/top_level_spec.rb
@@ -171,6 +171,19 @@ def self.cleanup_exceptions
       Cosmos.cleanup_exceptions()
     end
 
+    it "rescues marshal dump errors in a Packet with a Mutex" do
+      capture_io do |stdout|
+        system_exit_count = $system_exit_count
+        pkt = Packet.new("TGT","PKT")
+        pkt.append_item("ITEM", 16, :UINT)
+        pkt.read_all
+        Cosmos.marshal_dump('marshal_test', pkt)
+        expect($system_exit_count).to be > system_exit_count
+        expect(stdout.string).to match("Mutex exists in a packet")
+      end
+      Cosmos.cleanup_exceptions()
+    end
+
     it "rescues marshal load errors" do
       # Attempt to load something that doesn't exist
       expect(Cosmos.marshal_load('blah')).to be_nil