diff --git a/lib/openhab/core/events/abstract_event.rb b/lib/openhab/core/events/abstract_event.rb
index 3795aab958..feb5ddfd08 100644
--- a/lib/openhab/core/events/abstract_event.rb
+++ b/lib/openhab/core/events/abstract_event.rb
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def inputs=(value)
         #
         # Returns the event payload as a Hash.
         #
-        # @return [Hash, nil] The payload object parsed by JSON. The keys are symbolized.
+        # @return [Hash, String, nil] The payload object parsed by JSON. The keys are symbolized.
         #   `nil` when the payload is empty.
         #
         def payload
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ def payload
           original_verbose = $VERBOSE
           $VERBOSE = nil
           @payload ||= JSON.parse(get_payload, symbolize_names: true) unless get_payload.empty?
+        rescue JSON::ParserError
+          get_payload
         ensure
           $VERBOSE = original_verbose
         end