diff --git a/core/qubes.py b/core/qubes.py
index 8f814709..107c285f 100755
--- a/core/qubes.py
+++ b/core/qubes.py
@@ -125,9 +125,6 @@ defaults = {
 qubes_max_qid = 254
 qubes_max_netid = 254
 
-class QubesException (Exception):
-    pass
-
 class QubesVMMConnection(object):
     def __init__(self):
         self._libvirt_conn = None
diff --git a/qubes/__init__.py b/qubes/__init__.py
index 513b351b..db4b724d 100644
--- a/qubes/__init__.py
+++ b/qubes/__init__.py
@@ -10,3 +10,7 @@ __version__ = 'R3'
 
 import qubes._pluginloader
 
+class QubesException(Exception):
+    '''Exception that can be shown to the user'''
+    pass
+