diff --git a/src/compiler/code_generator.ts b/src/compiler/code_generator.ts
index 880649f4..d7f54ac4 100644
--- a/src/compiler/code_generator.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/code_generator.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import {
   Attrs,
   EventHandlers,
 } from "./parser";
+import { OwlError } from "../runtime/error_handling";
 
 type BlockType = "block" | "text" | "multi" | "list" | "html" | "comment";
 
@@ -535,7 +536,7 @@ export class CodeGenerator {
       .slice(1)
       .map((m) => {
         if (!MODS.has(m)) {
-          throw new Error(`Unknown event modifier: '${m}'`);
+          throw new OwlError(`Unknown event modifier: '${m}'`);
         }
         return `"${m}"`;
       });
@@ -871,8 +872,9 @@ export class CodeGenerator {
     this.define(`key${this.target.loopLevel}`, ast.key ? compileExpr(ast.key) : loopVar);
     if (this.dev) {
       // Throw error on duplicate keys in dev mode
+      this.helpers.add("OwlError");
       this.addLine(
-        `if (keys${block.id}.has(key${this.target.loopLevel})) { throw new Error(\`Got duplicate key in t-foreach: \${key${this.target.loopLevel}}\`)}`
+        `if (keys${block.id}.has(key${this.target.loopLevel})) { throw new OwlError(\`Got duplicate key in t-foreach: \${key${this.target.loopLevel}}\`)}`
       );
       this.addLine(`keys${block.id}.add(key${this.target.loopLevel});`);
     }
@@ -1094,7 +1096,7 @@ export class CodeGenerator {
         name = _name;
         value = `bind(ctx, ${value || undefined})`;
       } else {
-        throw new Error("Invalid prop suffix");
+        throw new OwlError("Invalid prop suffix");
       }
     }
     name = /^[a-z_]+$/i.test(name) ? name : `'${name}'`;
diff --git a/src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts b/src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts
index 21fcfcde..adcde781 100644
--- a/src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { OwlError } from "../runtime/error_handling";
+
 /**
  * Owl QWeb Expression Parser
  *
@@ -106,14 +108,14 @@ let tokenizeString: Tokenizer = function (expr) {
       i++;
       cur = expr[i];
       if (!cur) {
-        throw new Error("Invalid expression");
+        throw new OwlError("Invalid expression");
       }
       s += cur;
     }
     i++;
   }
   if (expr[i] !== start) {
-    throw new Error("Invalid expression");
+    throw new OwlError("Invalid expression");
   }
   s += start;
   if (start === "`") {
@@ -223,7 +225,7 @@ export function tokenize(expr: string): Token[] {
     error = e; // Silence all errors and throw a generic error below
   }
   if (current.length || error) {
-    throw new Error(`Tokenizer error: could not tokenize \`${expr}\``);
+    throw new OwlError(`Tokenizer error: could not tokenize \`${expr}\``);
   }
   return result;
 }
diff --git a/src/compiler/parser.ts b/src/compiler/parser.ts
index 540e4a70..4f3f39f7 100644
--- a/src/compiler/parser.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/parser.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { OwlError } from "../runtime/error_handling";
+
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // AST Type definition
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -319,7 +321,7 @@ function parseDOMNode(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
     return null;
   }
   if (tagName.startsWith("block-")) {
-    throw new Error(`Invalid tag name: '${tagName}'`);
+    throw new OwlError(`Invalid tag name: '${tagName}'`);
   }
   ctx = Object.assign({}, ctx);
   if (tagName === "pre") {
@@ -340,13 +342,15 @@ function parseDOMNode(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
     const value = node.getAttribute(attr)!;
     if (attr.startsWith("t-on")) {
       if (attr === "t-on") {
-        throw new Error("Missing event name with t-on directive");
+        throw new OwlError("Missing event name with t-on directive");
       }
       on = on || {};
       on[attr.slice(5)] = value;
     } else if (attr.startsWith("t-model")) {
       if (!["input", "select", "textarea"].includes(tagName)) {
-        throw new Error("The t-model directive only works with <input>, <textarea> and <select>");
+        throw new OwlError(
+          "The t-model directive only works with <input>, <textarea> and <select>"
+        );
       }
 
       let baseExpr, expr;
@@ -359,7 +363,7 @@ function parseDOMNode(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
         baseExpr = value.slice(0, index);
         expr = value.slice(index + 1, -1);
       } else {
-        throw new Error(`Invalid t-model expression: "${value}" (it should be assignable)`);
+        throw new OwlError(`Invalid t-model expression: "${value}" (it should be assignable)`);
       }
 
       const typeAttr = node.getAttribute("type");
@@ -390,10 +394,10 @@ function parseDOMNode(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
         ctx.tModelInfo = model;
       }
     } else if (attr.startsWith("block-")) {
-      throw new Error(`Invalid attribute: '${attr}'`);
+      throw new OwlError(`Invalid attribute: '${attr}'`);
     } else if (attr !== "t-name") {
       if (attr.startsWith("t-") && !attr.startsWith("t-att")) {
-        throw new Error(`Unknown QWeb directive: '${attr}'`);
+        throw new OwlError(`Unknown QWeb directive: '${attr}'`);
       }
       const tModel = ctx.tModelInfo;
       if (tModel && ["t-att-value", "t-attf-value"].includes(attr)) {
@@ -447,7 +451,7 @@ function parseTEscNode(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
     };
   }
   if (ast.type === ASTType.TComponent) {
-    throw new Error("t-esc is not supported on Component nodes");
+    throw new OwlError("t-esc is not supported on Component nodes");
   }
   return tesc;
 }
@@ -503,7 +507,7 @@ function parseTForEach(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
   node.removeAttribute("t-as");
   const key = node.getAttribute("t-key");
   if (!key) {
-    throw new Error(
+    throw new OwlError(
       `"Directive t-foreach should always be used with a t-key!" (expression: t-foreach="${collection}" t-as="${elem}")`
     );
   }
@@ -686,7 +690,9 @@ function parseComponent(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
   let isDynamic = node.hasAttribute("t-component");
 
   if (isDynamic && name !== "t") {
-    throw new Error(`Directive 't-component' can only be used on <t> nodes (used on a <${name}>)`);
+    throw new OwlError(
+      `Directive 't-component' can only be used on <t> nodes (used on a <${name}>)`
+    );
   }
 
   if (!(firstLetter === firstLetter.toUpperCase() || isDynamic)) {
@@ -713,7 +719,7 @@ function parseComponent(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
         on[name.slice(5)] = value;
       } else {
         const message = directiveErrorMap.get(name.split("-").slice(0, 2).join("-"));
-        throw new Error(message || `unsupported directive on Component: ${name}`);
+        throw new OwlError(message || `unsupported directive on Component: ${name}`);
       }
     } else {
       props = props || {};
@@ -729,7 +735,7 @@ function parseComponent(node: Element, ctx: ParsingContext): AST | null {
     const slotNodes = Array.from(clone.querySelectorAll("[t-set-slot]"));
     for (let slotNode of slotNodes) {
       if (slotNode.tagName !== "t") {
-        throw new Error(
+        throw new OwlError(
           `Directive 't-set-slot' can only be used on <t> nodes (used on a <${slotNode.tagName}>)`
         );
       }
@@ -904,7 +910,7 @@ function normalizeTIf(el: Element) {
     let nattr = (name: string) => +!!node.getAttribute(name);
     if (prevElem && (pattr("t-if") || pattr("t-elif"))) {
       if (pattr("t-foreach")) {
-        throw new Error(
+        throw new OwlError(
           "t-if cannot stay at the same level as t-foreach when using t-elif or t-else"
         );
       }
@@ -913,19 +919,19 @@ function normalizeTIf(el: Element) {
           return a + b;
         }) > 1
       ) {
-        throw new Error("Only one conditional branching directive is allowed per node");
+        throw new OwlError("Only one conditional branching directive is allowed per node");
       }
       // All text (with only spaces) and comment nodes (nodeType 8) between
       // branch nodes are removed
       let textNode;
       while ((textNode = node.previousSibling) !== prevElem) {
         if (textNode!.nodeValue!.trim().length && textNode!.nodeType !== 8) {
-          throw new Error("text is not allowed between branching directives");
+          throw new OwlError("text is not allowed between branching directives");
         }
         textNode!.remove();
       }
     } else {
-      throw new Error(
+      throw new OwlError(
         "t-elif and t-else directives must be preceded by a t-if or t-elif directive"
       );
     }
@@ -946,7 +952,7 @@ function normalizeTEsc(el: Element) {
   );
   for (const el of elements) {
     if (el.childNodes.length) {
-      throw new Error("Cannot have t-esc on a component that already has content");
+      throw new OwlError("Cannot have t-esc on a component that already has content");
     }
     const value = el.getAttribute("t-esc");
     el.removeAttribute("t-esc");
@@ -1000,7 +1006,7 @@ function parseXML(xml: string): XMLDocument {
         }
       }
     }
-    throw new Error(msg);
+    throw new OwlError(msg);
   }
 
   return doc;
diff --git a/src/runtime/app.ts b/src/runtime/app.ts
index c8412168..f3adde96 100644
--- a/src/runtime/app.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/app.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { Component, ComponentConstructor, Props } from "./component";
 import { ComponentNode } from "./component_node";
-import { nodeErrorHandlers } from "./error_handling";
+import { nodeErrorHandlers, OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 import { Fiber, MountOptions } from "./fibers";
 import { Scheduler } from "./scheduler";
 import { validateProps } from "./template_helpers";
@@ -154,9 +154,9 @@ export class App<
         if (isStatic) {
           C = parent.constructor.components[name as any];
           if (!C) {
-            throw new Error(`Cannot find the definition of component "${name}"`);
+            throw new OwlError(`Cannot find the definition of component "${name}"`);
           } else if (!(C.prototype instanceof Component)) {
-            throw new Error(
+            throw new OwlError(
               `"${name}" is not a Component. It must inherit from the Component class`
             );
           }
diff --git a/src/runtime/blockdom/block_compiler.ts b/src/runtime/blockdom/block_compiler.ts
index de128960..7f04df43 100644
--- a/src/runtime/blockdom/block_compiler.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/blockdom/block_compiler.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { OwlError } from "../error_handling";
 import {
   attrsSetter,
   attrsUpdater,
@@ -245,7 +246,7 @@ function buildTree(
       };
     }
   }
-  throw new Error("boom");
+  throw new OwlError("boom");
 }
 
 function addRef(tree: IntermediateTree) {
diff --git a/src/runtime/component_node.ts b/src/runtime/component_node.ts
index a75b9ba5..8f7b644d 100644
--- a/src/runtime/component_node.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/component_node.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import type { App, Env } from "./app";
 import { BDom, VNode } from "./blockdom";
 import { Component, ComponentConstructor, Props } from "./component";
-import { fibersInError, handleError } from "./error_handling";
+import { fibersInError, handleError, OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 import { Fiber, makeChildFiber, makeRootFiber, MountFiber, MountOptions } from "./fibers";
 import {
   clearReactivesForCallback,
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ let currentNode: ComponentNode | null = null;
 
 export function getCurrent(): ComponentNode {
   if (!currentNode) {
-    throw new Error("No active component (a hook function should only be called in 'setup')");
+    throw new OwlError("No active component (a hook function should only be called in 'setup')");
   }
   return currentNode;
 }
diff --git a/src/runtime/error_handling.ts b/src/runtime/error_handling.ts
index 6fa22f42..07947fc9 100644
--- a/src/runtime/error_handling.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/error_handling.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 import type { ComponentNode } from "./component_node";
 import type { Fiber } from "./fibers";
 
+// Custom error class that wraps error that happen in the owl lifecycle
+export class OwlError extends Error {
+  cause?: any;
+}
+
 // Maps fibers to thrown errors
 export const fibersInError: WeakMap<Fiber, any> = new WeakMap();
 export const nodeErrorHandlers: WeakMap<ComponentNode, ((error: any) => void)[]> = new WeakMap();
@@ -37,7 +42,11 @@ function _handleError(node: ComponentNode | null, error: any): boolean {
 
 type ErrorParams = { error: any } & ({ node: ComponentNode } | { fiber: Fiber });
 export function handleError(params: ErrorParams) {
-  const error = params.error;
+  let { error } = params;
+  // Wrap error if it wasn't wrapped by wrapError (ie when not in dev mode)
+  if (!(error instanceof OwlError)) {
+    error = Object.assign(new OwlError("An error occured in the owl lifecycle"), { cause: error });
+  }
   const node = "node" in params ? params.node : params.fiber.node;
   const fiber = "fiber" in params ? params.fiber : node.fiber!;
 
diff --git a/src/runtime/event_handling.ts b/src/runtime/event_handling.ts
index 5d001b3d..d7607b33 100644
--- a/src/runtime/event_handling.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/event_handling.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { filterOutModifiersFromData } from "./blockdom/config";
 import { STATUS } from "./status";
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 export const mainEventHandler = (data: any, ev: Event, currentTarget?: EventTarget | null) => {
   const { data: _data, modifiers } = filterOutModifiersFromData(data);
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ export const mainEventHandler = (data: any, ev: Event, currentTarget?: EventTarg
   if (Object.hasOwnProperty.call(data, 0)) {
     const handler = data[0];
     if (typeof handler !== "function") {
-      throw new Error(`Invalid handler (expected a function, received: '${handler}')`);
+      throw new OwlError(`Invalid handler (expected a function, received: '${handler}')`);
     }
     let node = data[1] ? data[1].__owl__ : null;
     if (node ? node.status === STATUS.MOUNTED : true) {
diff --git a/src/runtime/fibers.ts b/src/runtime/fibers.ts
index 755f0911..0aeb7e6d 100644
--- a/src/runtime/fibers.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/fibers.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { BDom, mount } from "./blockdom";
 import type { ComponentNode } from "./component_node";
-import { fibersInError, handleError } from "./error_handling";
+import { fibersInError, handleError, OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 import { STATUS } from "./status";
 
 export function makeChildFiber(node: ComponentNode, parent: Fiber): Fiber {
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export function makeRootFiber(node: ComponentNode): Fiber {
 }
 
 function throwOnRender() {
-  throw new Error("Attempted to render cancelled fiber");
+  throw new OwlError("Attempted to render cancelled fiber");
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/runtime/index.ts b/src/runtime/index.ts
index 6f596ed7..7c2c2832 100644
--- a/src/runtime/index.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/index.ts
@@ -54,5 +54,6 @@ export {
   onError,
 } from "./lifecycle_hooks";
 export { validate } from "./validation";
+export { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 export const __info__ = {};
diff --git a/src/runtime/lifecycle_hooks.ts b/src/runtime/lifecycle_hooks.ts
index e8ed942d..46c7b797 100644
--- a/src/runtime/lifecycle_hooks.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/lifecycle_hooks.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,21 @@
 import { getCurrent } from "./component_node";
-import { nodeErrorHandlers } from "./error_handling";
+import { nodeErrorHandlers, OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 const TIMEOUT = Symbol("timeout");
 function wrapError(fn: (...args: any[]) => any, hookName: string) {
-  const error = new Error(`The following error occurred in ${hookName}: `) as Error & {
+  const error = new OwlError(`The following error occurred in ${hookName}: `) as Error & {
     cause: any;
   };
-  const timeoutError = new Error(`${hookName}'s promise hasn't resolved after 3 seconds`);
+  const timeoutError = new OwlError(`${hookName}'s promise hasn't resolved after 3 seconds`);
   const node = getCurrent();
   return (...args: any[]) => {
+    const onError = (cause: any) => {
+      if (cause instanceof Error) {
+        error.cause = cause;
+        error.message += `"${cause.message}"`;
+      }
+      throw error;
+    };
     try {
       const result = fn(...args);
       if (result instanceof Promise) {
@@ -23,20 +30,11 @@ function wrapError(fn: (...args: any[]) => any, hookName: string) {
             }
           });
         }
-        return result.catch((cause) => {
-          error.cause = cause;
-          if (cause instanceof Error) {
-            error.message += `"${cause.message}"`;
-          }
-          throw error;
-        });
+        return result.catch(onError);
       }
       return result;
     } catch (cause) {
-      if (cause instanceof Error) {
-        error.message += `"${cause.message}"`;
-      }
-      throw error;
+      onError(cause);
     }
   };
 }
diff --git a/src/runtime/portal.ts b/src/runtime/portal.ts
index bb483b7f..4723a8d7 100644
--- a/src/runtime/portal.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/portal.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { onWillUnmount } from "./lifecycle_hooks";
 import { BDom, text, VNode } from "./blockdom";
 import { Component } from "./component";
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 const VText: any = text("").constructor;
 
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ class VPortal extends VText implements Partial<VNode<VPortal>> {
       }
       this.target = el && el.querySelector(this.selector);
       if (!this.target) {
-        throw new Error("invalid portal target");
+        throw new OwlError("invalid portal target");
       }
     }
     this.realBDom!.mount(this.target!, null);
diff --git a/src/runtime/reactivity.ts b/src/runtime/reactivity.ts
index a4a63b54..2ea5771b 100644
--- a/src/runtime/reactivity.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/reactivity.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { Callback } from "./utils";
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 // Allows to get the target of a Reactive (used for making a new Reactive from the underlying object)
 export const TARGET = Symbol("Target");
@@ -197,7 +198,7 @@ export function reactive<T extends Target>(
   callback: Callback = () => {}
 ): Reactive<T> | NonReactive<T> {
   if (!canBeMadeReactive(target)) {
-    throw new Error(`Cannot make the given value reactive`);
+    throw new OwlError(`Cannot make the given value reactive`);
   }
   if (SKIP in target) {
     return target as NonReactive<T>;
diff --git a/src/runtime/template_helpers.ts b/src/runtime/template_helpers.ts
index 4164d26a..78db7e03 100644
--- a/src/runtime/template_helpers.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/template_helpers.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { html } from "./blockdom/index";
 import { isOptional, validateSchema } from "./validation";
 import type { ComponentConstructor } from "./component";
 import { markRaw } from "./reactivity";
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 const ObjectCreate = Object.create;
 /**
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ function prepareList(collection: any): [any[], any[], number, any[]] {
     values = Object.keys(collection);
     keys = Object.values(collection);
   } else {
-    throw new Error("Invalid loop expression");
+    throw new OwlError("Invalid loop expression");
   }
   const n = values.length;
   return [keys, values, n, new Array(n)];
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ function multiRefSetter(refs: RefMap, name: string): RefSetter {
     if (el) {
       count++;
       if (count > 1) {
-        throw new Error("Cannot have 2 elements with same ref name at the same time");
+        throw new OwlError("Cannot have 2 elements with same ref name at the same time");
       }
     }
     if (count === 0 || el) {
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ export function validateProps<P>(name: string | ComponentConstructor<P>, props:
         : name in schema && !("*" in schema) && !isOptional(schema[name]);
     for (let p in defaultProps) {
       if (isMandatory(p)) {
-        throw new Error(
+        throw new OwlError(
           `A default value cannot be defined for a mandatory prop (name: '${p}', component: ${ComponentClass.name})`
         );
       }
@@ -242,7 +243,9 @@ export function validateProps<P>(name: string | ComponentConstructor<P>, props:
 
   const errors = validateSchema(props, schema);
   if (errors.length) {
-    throw new Error(`Invalid props for component '${ComponentClass.name}': ` + errors.join(", "));
+    throw new OwlError(
+      `Invalid props for component '${ComponentClass.name}': ` + errors.join(", ")
+    );
   }
 }
 
@@ -264,4 +267,5 @@ export const helpers = {
   bind,
   createCatcher,
   markRaw,
+  OwlError,
 };
diff --git a/src/runtime/template_set.ts b/src/runtime/template_set.ts
index 1fc9cf3d..6868e612 100644
--- a/src/runtime/template_set.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/template_set.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { comment, createBlock, html, list, multi, text, toggler } from "./blockd
 import { getCurrent } from "./component_node";
 import { Portal, portalTemplate } from "./portal";
 import { helpers } from "./template_helpers";
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 
 const bdom = { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment };
 
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ function parseXML(xml: string): Document {
         }
       }
     }
-    throw new Error(msg);
+    throw new OwlError(msg);
   }
   return doc;
 }
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ export class TemplateSet {
       if (currentAsString === newAsString) {
         return;
       }
-      throw new Error(`Template ${name} already defined with different content`);
+      throw new OwlError(`Template ${name} already defined with different content`);
     }
     this.rawTemplates[name] = template;
   }
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ export class TemplateSet {
           const componentName = getCurrent().component.constructor.name;
           extraInfo = ` (for component "${componentName}")`;
         } catch {}
-        throw new Error(`Missing template: "${name}"${extraInfo}`);
+        throw new OwlError(`Missing template: "${name}"${extraInfo}`);
       }
       const isFn = typeof rawTemplate === "function" && !(rawTemplate instanceof Element);
       const templateFn = isFn ? rawTemplate : this._compileTemplate(name, rawTemplate);
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ export class TemplateSet {
   }
 
   _compileTemplate(name: string, template: string | Element): ReturnType<typeof compile> {
-    throw new Error(`Unable to compile a template. Please use owl full build instead`);
+    throw new OwlError(`Unable to compile a template. Please use owl full build instead`);
   }
 
   callTemplate(owner: any, subTemplate: string, ctx: any, parent: any, key: any): any {
diff --git a/src/runtime/utils.ts b/src/runtime/utils.ts
index 990dfc04..9c5c067d 100644
--- a/src/runtime/utils.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/utils.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
 export type Callback = () => void;
 
 /**
@@ -28,10 +29,10 @@ export function batched(callback: Callback): Callback {
 
 export function validateTarget(target: HTMLElement) {
   if (!(target instanceof HTMLElement)) {
-    throw new Error("Cannot mount component: the target is not a valid DOM element");
+    throw new OwlError("Cannot mount component: the target is not a valid DOM element");
   }
   if (!document.body.contains(target)) {
-    throw new Error("Cannot mount a component on a detached dom node");
+    throw new OwlError("Cannot mount a component on a detached dom node");
   }
 }
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ export function whenReady(fn?: any): Promise<void> {
 export async function loadFile(url: string): Promise<string> {
   const result = await fetch(url);
   if (!result.ok) {
-    throw new Error("Error while fetching xml templates");
+    throw new OwlError("Error while fetching xml templates");
   }
   return await result.text();
 }
diff --git a/src/runtime/validation.ts b/src/runtime/validation.ts
index 02d473fb..7d069c56 100644
--- a/src/runtime/validation.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/validation.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { OwlError } from "./error_handling";
+
 type BaseType =
   | typeof String
   | typeof Boolean
@@ -70,7 +72,7 @@ function toSchema(spec: SimplifiedSchema): NormalizedSchema {
 export function validate(obj: { [key: string]: any }, spec: Schema) {
   let errors = validateSchema(obj, spec);
   if (errors.length) {
-    throw new Error("Invalid object: " + errors.join(", "));
+    throw new OwlError("Invalid object: " + errors.join(", "));
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/components/__snapshots__/error_handling.test.ts.snap b/tests/components/__snapshots__/error_handling.test.ts.snap
index f1050afa..2d33186c 100644
--- a/tests/components/__snapshots__/error_handling.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/components/__snapshots__/error_handling.test.ts.snap
@@ -101,6 +101,50 @@ exports[`basics simple catchError 2`] = `
 }"
 `;
 
+exports[`can catch errors Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped in dev mode: async hook 1`] = `
+"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
+) {
+  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
+  
+  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
+    return text(ctx['state'].value);
+  }
+}"
+`;
+
+exports[`can catch errors Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped in dev mode: sync hook 1`] = `
+"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
+) {
+  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
+  
+  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
+    return text(ctx['state'].value);
+  }
+}"
+`;
+
+exports[`can catch errors Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped out of dev mode: async hook 1`] = `
+"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
+) {
+  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
+  
+  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
+    return text(ctx['state'].value);
+  }
+}"
+`;
+
+exports[`can catch errors Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped outside dev mode: sync hook 1`] = `
+"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
+) {
+  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
+  
+  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
+    return text(ctx['state'].value);
+  }
+}"
+`;
+
 exports[`can catch errors an error in onWillDestroy 1`] = `
 "function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
 ) {
@@ -1257,19 +1301,6 @@ exports[`errors and promises an error in willPatch call will reject the render p
 }"
 `;
 
-exports[`errors and promises error type is kept when it is wrapped 1`] = `
-"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
-) {
-  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
-  
-  let block1 = createBlock(\`<div>abc</div>\`);
-  
-  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
-    return block1();
-  }
-}"
-`;
-
 exports[`errors and promises errors in mounted and in willUnmount 1`] = `
 "function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
 ) {
diff --git a/tests/components/__snapshots__/t_foreach.test.ts.snap b/tests/components/__snapshots__/t_foreach.test.ts.snap
index 9e6d0fa8..fecb2dfe 100644
--- a/tests/components/__snapshots__/t_foreach.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/components/__snapshots__/t_foreach.test.ts.snap
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ exports[`list of components crash on duplicate key in dev mode 1`] = `
 "function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
 ) {
   let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
-  let { prepareList, withKey } = helpers;
+  let { prepareList, OwlError, withKey } = helpers;
   const comp1 = app.createComponent(\`Child\`, true, false, false, true);
   
   return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ exports[`list of components crash on duplicate key in dev mode 1`] = `
     for (let i1 = 0; i1 < l_block1; i1++) {
       ctx[\`item\`] = v_block1[i1];
       const key1 = 'child';
-      if (keys1.has(key1)) { throw new Error(\`Got duplicate key in t-foreach: \${key1}\`)}
+      if (keys1.has(key1)) { throw new OwlError(\`Got duplicate key in t-foreach: \${key1}\`)}
       keys1.add(key1);
       const props1 = {};
       helpers.validateProps(\`Child\`, props1, ctx);
diff --git a/tests/components/error_handling.test.ts b/tests/components/error_handling.test.ts
index 331f10ab..68db350c 100644
--- a/tests/components/error_handling.test.ts
+++ b/tests/components/error_handling.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
   snapshotEverything,
   useLogLifecycle,
 } from "../helpers";
+import { OwlError } from "../../src/runtime/error_handling";
 
 let fixture: HTMLElement;
 
@@ -159,16 +160,17 @@ describe("errors and promises", () => {
       static template = xml`<div><t t-esc="this.will.crash"/></div>`;
     }
 
-    let error: Error;
+    let error: OwlError;
     try {
       await mount(App, fixture);
     } catch (e) {
-      error = e as Error;
+      error = e as OwlError;
     }
     expect(error!).toBeDefined();
+    expect(error!.cause).toBeDefined();
     const regexp =
       /Cannot read properties of undefined \(reading 'crash'\)|Cannot read property 'crash' of undefined/g;
-    expect(error!.message).toMatch(regexp);
+    expect(error!.cause.message).toMatch(regexp);
     expect(mockConsoleError).toBeCalledTimes(0);
     expect(mockConsoleError).toBeCalledTimes(0);
   });
@@ -183,14 +185,15 @@ describe("errors and promises", () => {
       }
     }
 
-    let error: Error;
+    let error: OwlError;
     try {
       await mount(App, fixture);
     } catch (e) {
-      error = e as Error;
+      error = e as OwlError;
     }
     expect(error!).toBeDefined();
-    expect(error!.message).toBe("boom");
+    expect(error!.cause).toBeDefined();
+    expect(error!.cause.message).toBe("boom");
     expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe("");
     expect(mockConsoleError).toBeCalledTimes(0);
     expect(mockConsoleWarn).toBeCalledTimes(1);
@@ -344,16 +347,17 @@ describe("errors and promises", () => {
       static components = { Child };
     }
 
-    let error: Error;
+    let error: OwlError;
     try {
       await mount(App, fixture);
     } catch (e) {
-      error = e as Error;
+      error = e as OwlError;
     }
     expect(error!).toBeDefined();
+    expect(error!.cause).toBeDefined();
     const regexp =
       /Cannot read properties of undefined \(reading 'crash'\)|Cannot read property 'crash' of undefined/g;
-    expect(error!.message).toMatch(regexp);
+    expect(error!.cause.message).toMatch(regexp);
     expect(mockConsoleError).toBeCalledTimes(0);
     expect(mockConsoleWarn).toBeCalledTimes(1);
   });
@@ -363,7 +367,7 @@ describe("errors and promises", () => {
       static template = xml`<div><t t-if="flag" t-esc="this.will.crash"/></div>`;
       flag = false;
       setup() {
-        onError((e) => (error = e));
+        onError(({ cause }) => (error = cause));
       }
     }
 
@@ -390,16 +394,17 @@ describe("errors and promises", () => {
       static components = { Child };
     }
 
-    let error: Error;
+    let error: OwlError;
     try {
       await mount(Parent, fixture);
     } catch (e) {
-      error = e as Error;
+      error = e as OwlError;
     }
     expect(error!).toBeDefined();
+    expect(error!.cause).toBeDefined();
     const regexp =
       /Cannot read properties of undefined \(reading 'y'\)|Cannot read property 'y' of undefined/g;
-    expect(error!.message).toMatch(regexp);
+    expect(error!.cause.message).toMatch(regexp);
     expect(mockConsoleError).toBeCalledTimes(0);
     expect(mockConsoleWarn).toBeCalledTimes(1);
   });
@@ -506,6 +511,96 @@ describe("can catch errors", () => {
     );
   });
 
+  test("Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped in dev mode: sync hook", async () => {
+    const err = new Error("test error");
+    class Root extends Component {
+      static template = xml`<t t-esc="state.value"/>`;
+      state = useState({ value: 1 });
+
+      setup() {
+        onMounted(() => {
+          throw err;
+        });
+      }
+    }
+    let e: OwlError;
+    try {
+      await mount(Root, fixture, { test: true });
+    } catch (error) {
+      e = error as OwlError;
+    }
+    expect(e!.message).toBe(`The following error occurred in onMounted: "test error"`);
+    expect(e!.cause).toBe(err);
+  });
+
+  test("Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped in dev mode: async hook", async () => {
+    const err = new Error("test error");
+    class Root extends Component {
+      static template = xml`<t t-esc="state.value"/>`;
+      state = useState({ value: 1 });
+
+      setup() {
+        onWillStart(async () => {
+          await nextMicroTick();
+          throw err;
+        });
+      }
+    }
+    let e: OwlError;
+    try {
+      await mount(Root, fixture, { test: true });
+    } catch (error) {
+      e = error as OwlError;
+    }
+    expect(e!.message).toBe(`The following error occurred in onWillStart: "test error"`);
+    expect(e!.cause).toBe(err);
+  });
+
+  test("Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped outside dev mode: sync hook", async () => {
+    const err = new Error("test error");
+    class Root extends Component {
+      static template = xml`<t t-esc="state.value"/>`;
+      state = useState({ value: 1 });
+
+      setup() {
+        onMounted(() => {
+          throw err;
+        });
+      }
+    }
+    let e: OwlError;
+    try {
+      await mount(Root, fixture);
+    } catch (error) {
+      e = error as OwlError;
+    }
+    expect(e!.message).toBe("An error occured in the owl lifecycle");
+    expect(e!.cause).toBe(err);
+  });
+
+  test("Errors in owl lifecycle are wrapped out of dev mode: async hook", async () => {
+    const err = new Error("test error");
+    class Root extends Component {
+      static template = xml`<t t-esc="state.value"/>`;
+      state = useState({ value: 1 });
+
+      setup() {
+        onWillStart(async () => {
+          await nextMicroTick();
+          throw err;
+        });
+      }
+    }
+    let e: OwlError;
+    try {
+      await mount(Root, fixture);
+    } catch (error) {
+      e = error as OwlError;
+    }
+    expect(e!.message).toBe("An error occured in the owl lifecycle");
+    expect(e!.cause).toBe(err);
+  });
+
   test("can catch an error in the initial call of a component render function (parent mounted)", async () => {
     class ErrorComponent extends Component {
       static template = xml`<div>hey<t t-esc="state.this.will.crash"/></div>`;
@@ -1204,8 +1299,8 @@ describe("can catch errors", () => {
     class Catch extends Component {
       static template = xml`<t t-slot="default" />`;
       setup() {
-        onError((error) => {
-          this.props.onError(error);
+        onError(({ cause }) => {
+          this.props.onError(cause);
         });
       }
     }
diff --git a/tests/components/hooks.test.ts b/tests/components/hooks.test.ts
index 56a0ad58..a5da81b9 100644
--- a/tests/components/hooks.test.ts
+++ b/tests/components/hooks.test.ts
@@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ describe("hooks", () => {
       try {
         await mount(MyComponent, fixture);
       } catch (e: any) {
-        expect(e.message).toBe("Intentional error");
+        expect(e.cause.message).toBe("Intentional error");
       }
       // no console.error because the error has been caught in this test
       expect(console.error).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
diff --git a/tests/components/style_class.test.ts b/tests/components/style_class.test.ts
index ddd73a94..4b4d9bc9 100644
--- a/tests/components/style_class.test.ts
+++ b/tests/components/style_class.test.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { OwlError } from "../../src/runtime/error_handling";
 import { Component, mount, onMounted, useState, xml } from "../../src";
 import { makeTestFixture, nextTick, snapshotEverything } from "../helpers";
 
@@ -346,16 +347,17 @@ describe("style and class handling", () => {
       static template = xml`<Child class="'a'"/>`;
       static components = { Child };
     }
-    let error: Error;
+    let error: OwlError;
     try {
       await mount(ParentWidget, fixture);
     } catch (e) {
-      error = e as Error;
+      error = e as OwlError;
     }
     expect(error!).toBeDefined();
+    expect(error!.cause).toBeDefined();
     const regexp =
       /Cannot read properties of undefined \(reading 'crash'\)|Cannot read property 'crash' of undefined/g;
-    expect(error!.message).toMatch(regexp);
+    expect(error!.cause.message).toMatch(regexp);
     expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe("");
     expect(mockConsoleWarn).toBeCalledTimes(1);
   });
diff --git a/tests/helpers.ts b/tests/helpers.ts
index c41fa801..714653a7 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.ts
+++ b/tests/helpers.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import { helpers } from "../src/runtime/template_helpers";
 import { TemplateSet, globalTemplates } from "../src/runtime/template_set";
 import { BDom } from "../src/runtime/blockdom";
 import { compile } from "../src/compiler";
+import { OwlError } from "../src/runtime/error_handling";
 
 const mount = blockDom.mount;
 
@@ -221,7 +222,7 @@ export async function editInput(input: HTMLInputElement | HTMLTextAreaElement, v
 afterEach(() => {
   if (steps.length) {
     steps.splice(0);
-    throw new Error("Remaining steps! Should be checked by a .toBeLogged() assertion!");
+    throw new OwlError("Remaining steps! Should be checked by a .toBeLogged() assertion!");
   }
 });
 
diff --git a/tests/misc/portal.test.ts b/tests/misc/portal.test.ts
index ba6c7c97..ff2dcf3e 100644
--- a/tests/misc/portal.test.ts
+++ b/tests/misc/portal.test.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { OwlError } from "../../src/runtime/error_handling";
 import {
   App,
   Component,
@@ -499,7 +500,7 @@ describe("Portal", () => {
         </div>`;
       state = { error: false };
       setup() {
-        onError((e) => (error = e));
+        onError(({ cause }) => (error = cause));
       }
     }
     addOutsideDiv(fixture);
@@ -958,14 +959,15 @@ describe("Portal: Props validation", () => {
           </t>
         </div>`;
     }
-    let error: Error;
+    let error: OwlError;
     try {
       await mount(Parent, fixture, { dev: true });
     } catch (e) {
-      error = e as Error;
+      error = e as OwlError;
     }
     expect(error!).toBeDefined();
-    expect(error!.message).toBe(`' ' is not a valid selector`);
+    expect(error!.cause).toBeDefined();
+    expect(error!.cause.message).toBe(`' ' is not a valid selector`);
   });
 
   test("target must be a valid selector 2", async () => {