diff --git a/src/Illuminate/Encryption/Encrypter.php b/src/Illuminate/Encryption/Encrypter.php
index 5a8d82ec9ec6..8a8c6d85b0fc 100755
--- a/src/Illuminate/Encryption/Encrypter.php
+++ b/src/Illuminate/Encryption/Encrypter.php
@@ -205,6 +205,10 @@ protected function hash($iv, $value)
      */
     protected function getJsonPayload($payload)
     {
+        if (! is_string($payload)) {
+            throw new DecryptException('The payload is invalid.');
+        }
+
         $payload = json_decode(base64_decode($payload), true);
 
         // If the payload is not valid JSON or does not have the proper keys set we will