diff --git a/langchain/output_parsers/structured.py b/langchain/output_parsers/structured.py
index 566e0885..d9c7b83a 100644
--- a/langchain/output_parsers/structured.py
+++ b/langchain/output_parsers/structured.py
@@ -38,6 +38,12 @@ class StructuredOutputParser(BaseOutputParser):
         return STRUCTURED_FORMAT_INSTRUCTIONS.format(format=schema_str)
 
     def parse(self, text: str) -> Any:
+        if "```json" not in text:
+            raise OutputParserException(
+                f"Got invalid return object. Expected markdown code snippet with JSON "
+                f"object, but got:\n{text}"
+            )
+
         json_string = text.split("```json")[1].strip().strip("```").strip()
         try:
             json_obj = json.loads(json_string)