diff --git a/apps/rabbitmq/src/main/java/org/onosproject/rabbitmq/impl/MQServiceImpl.java b/apps/rabbitmq/src/main/java/org/onosproject/rabbitmq/impl/MQServiceImpl.java
index 11b46fb..2ecc5d2 100644
--- a/apps/rabbitmq/src/main/java/org/onosproject/rabbitmq/impl/MQServiceImpl.java
+++ b/apps/rabbitmq/src/main/java/org/onosproject/rabbitmq/impl/MQServiceImpl.java
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
                                             prop.getProperty(SENDER_QUEUE)),
                     msgOutQueue);
         } catch (Exception e) {
-            throw new RuntimeException(e);
+            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
         }
         manageSender.start();
     }