diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/CriterionTranslatorHelper.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/CriterionTranslatorHelper.java
index db1f40c..4b64b0c 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/CriterionTranslatorHelper.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/CriterionTranslatorHelper.java
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
                     "Unable to translate criterion %s: %s", criterion.type(), e.getMessage()));
         } catch (InstantiationException | IllegalAccessException e) {
             // Was not able to instantiate the criterion translator.
-            throw new RuntimeException(e);
+            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
         }
     }
 }