diff --git a/qubes/vm/qubesvm.py b/qubes/vm/qubesvm.py
index 5e21ce60..587a4584 100644
--- a/qubes/vm/qubesvm.py
+++ b/qubes/vm/qubesvm.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def _setter_name(self, prop, value):
         pass
 
     if value in self.app.domains:
-        raise qubes.exc.QubesException(
+        raise qubes.exc.QubesValueError(
             'VM named {} alread exists'.format(value))
 
     return value