diff --git a/dev/core/src/com/google/gwt/core/ext/linker/impl/StandardLinkerContext.java b/dev/core/src/com/google/gwt/core/ext/linker/impl/StandardLinkerContext.java
index 5080b22..20792cc 100644
--- a/dev/core/src/com/google/gwt/core/ext/linker/impl/StandardLinkerContext.java
+++ b/dev/core/src/com/google/gwt/core/ext/linker/impl/StandardLinkerContext.java
@@ -512,7 +512,10 @@
       } catch (IOException e) {
         artifactLogger.log(TreeLogger.ERROR,
             "Fatal error emitting artifact: " + artifact.getPartialPath(), e);
-        throw new UnableToCompleteException();
+        // Do not fail for Private artifacts, just log the error
+        if (visibility != Visibility.Private) {
+          throw new UnableToCompleteException();
+        }
       }
     }
   }