def error(sample, message):
        """
        Check to see if the run GenObject exists. If so, update the run.Description to reflect the error
        :param sample: metadata sample object
        :param message: error message to add to the sample.run.Description attribute
        """
        # Set the .fastqfiles attribute to an empty list
        sample.general.fastqfiles = list()
        # Ensure that the run attribute exists
        if GenObject.isattr(sample, 'run'):
            # If the Description attribute exists, overwrite it, otherwise create and populate it
            if GenObject.isattr(sample.run, 'status'):
                sample.run.status = message
            else:
                setattr(sample.run, 'status', message)
        # Otherwise create and populate the attribute
        else:
            setattr(sample, 'run', GenObject())
            sample.run.Description = message