diff --git a/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/visualize.py b/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/visualize.py
index 7c62f60e..16f9fc5f 100644
--- a/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/visualize.py
+++ b/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/visualize.py
@@ -499,7 +499,13 @@ class stick_show(mocap_data_show):
         super(stick_show, self).__init__(vals, axes=axes, connect=connect)
 
     def process_values(self):
-        self.vals = self.vals.reshape((3, self.vals.shape[1]//3)).T
+        """Convert vector of values into a matrix for use as a 3-D point cloud."""
+        try:
+            self.vals = self.vals.reshape((3, self.vals.shape[1]//3)).T
+        except ValueError as e:
+            print('Passed values to data_show need to have a dimension which is divisible by 3 for display as they should be a point cloud of 3-D points.')
+            raise(e)    
+            
 
 class skeleton_show(mocap_data_show):
     """data_show class for visualizing motion capture data encoded as a skeleton with angles."""