diff --git a/jrnl/messages.py b/jrnl/messages.py
index 639b1199..c91f789a 100644
--- a/jrnl/messages.py
+++ b/jrnl/messages.py
@@ -150,6 +150,10 @@ class MsgText(Enum):
         Headings increased past H6 on export - {date} {title}
         """
 
+    YamlMustBeDirectory = """
+        YAML export must be to a directory, not a single file
+        """
+
     # --- Import --- #
     ImportSummary = """
         {count} imported to {journal_name} journal
diff --git a/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py b/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py
index 8983d2e4..0f820207 100644
--- a/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py
+++ b/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@ import os
 import re
 import sys
 
-from jrnl.color import ERROR_COLOR
-from jrnl.color import RESET_COLOR
-from jrnl.color import WARNING_COLOR
-
 from .text_exporter import TextExporter
 
+from jrnl.exception import JrnlException
+from jrnl.messages import Message
+from jrnl.messages import MsgText
+from jrnl.messages import MsgType
+
 
 class YAMLExporter(TextExporter):
     """This Exporter can convert entries and journals into Markdown formatted text with YAML front matter."""
@@ -129,8 +130,4 @@ class YAMLExporter(TextExporter):
     @classmethod
     def export_journal(cls, journal):
         """Returns an error, as YAML export requires a directory as a target."""
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "{}ERROR{}: YAML export must be to individual files. Please specify a directory to export to.".format(
-                ERROR_COLOR, RESET_COLOR
-            )
-        )
+        raise JrnlException(Message(MsgText.YamlMustBeDirectory, MsgType.ERROR))