diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
index f605289cb9..e1603263d6 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ public class ClusterCommunicationManager implements ClusterCommunicationService
                     return result;
                 } catch (Exception e) {
                     context.stop(e);
-                    Throwables.throwIfUnchecked(e.getCause());
+                    Throwables.throwIfUnchecked(Throwables.getRootCause(e));
                     throw new IllegalStateException(e.getCause());
                 }
             }