diff --git a/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_pause.py b/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_pause.py
index 6180b80..2cf1880 100644
--- a/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_pause.py
+++ b/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_pause.py
@@ -36,10 +36,15 @@ def main(args=None, app=None):
     '''
 
     args = parser.parse_args(args, app=app)
+    exit_code = 0
     for domain in args.domains:
-        domain.pause()
+        try:
+            domain.pause()
+        except (IOError, OSError, qubesmgmt.exc.QubesException) as e:
+            exit_code = 1
+            parser.print_error(str(e))
 
-    return 0
+    return exit_code
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_shutdown.py b/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_shutdown.py
index 3cbc96c..eefecc1 100644
--- a/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_shutdown.py
+++ b/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_shutdown.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import sys
 import time
 
 import qubesmgmt.tools
+import qubesmgmt.exc
 
 parser = qubesmgmt.tools.QubesArgumentParser(
     description=__doc__, vmname_nargs='+')
@@ -52,8 +53,10 @@ def main(args=None, app=None):  # pylint: disable=missing-docstring
     args = parser.parse_args(args, app=app)
 
     for vm in args.domains:
-        if not vm.is_halted():
+        try:
             vm.shutdown(force=args.force)
+        except qubesmgmt.exc.QubesVMNotStartedError:
+            pass
 
     if not args.wait:
         return
diff --git a/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_unpause.py b/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_unpause.py
index ccea83a..b944366 100644
--- a/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_unpause.py
+++ b/qubesmgmt/tools/qvm_unpause.py
@@ -37,10 +37,15 @@ def main(args=None, app=None):
     '''
 
     args = parser.parse_args(args, app=app)
+    exit_code = 0
     for domain in args.domains:
-        domain.unpause()
+        try:
+            domain.unpause()
+        except (IOError, OSError, qubesmgmt.exc.QubesException) as e:
+            exit_code = 1
+            parser.print_error(str(e))
 
-    return 0
+    return exit_code
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':