diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/intent/IntentException.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/intent/IntentException.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4148dea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/intent/IntentException.java
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package org.onlab.onos.net.intent;
+
+/**
+ * Represents an intent related error.
+ */
+public class IntentException extends RuntimeException {
+
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1907263634145241319L;
+
+    /**
+     * Constructs an exception with no message and no underlying cause.
+     */
+    public IntentException() {
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Constructs an exception with the specified message.
+     *
+     * @param message the message describing the specific nature of the error
+     */
+    public IntentException(String message) {
+        super(message);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Constructs an exception with the specified message and the underlying cause.
+     *
+     * @param message the message describing the specific nature of the error
+     * @param cause the underlying cause of this error
+     */
+    public IntentException(String message, Throwable cause) {
+        super(message, cause);
+    }
+
+}