diff --git a/shade/_utils.py b/shade/_utils.py
index 3ca1c6434..b7604bad4 100644
--- a/shade/_utils.py
+++ b/shade/_utils.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import time
 from decorator import decorator
 from heatclient import exc as heat_exc
 from neutronclient.common import exceptions as neutron_exc
+from novaclient import exceptions as nova_exc
 
 from shade import _log
 from shade import exc
@@ -481,6 +482,10 @@ def shade_exceptions(error_message=None):
         yield
     except exc.OpenStackCloudException:
         raise
+    except nova_exc.BadRequest as e:
+        if error_message is None:
+            error_message = str(e)
+        raise exc.OpenStackCloudBadRequest(error_message)
     except Exception as e:
         if error_message is None:
             error_message = str(e)
diff --git a/shade/exc.py b/shade/exc.py
index 3ce23b901..fbb67564e 100644
--- a/shade/exc.py
+++ b/shade/exc.py
@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@ class OpenStackCloudHTTPError(OpenStackCloudException, _rex.HTTPError):
         _rex.HTTPError.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
 
 
+class OpenStackCloudBadRequest(OpenStackCloudHTTPError):
+    """There is something wrong with the request payload.
+
+    Possible reasons can include malformed json or invalid values to parameters
+    such as flavorRef to a server create.
+    """
+
+
 class OpenStackCloudURINotFound(OpenStackCloudHTTPError):
     pass
 
@@ -98,5 +106,7 @@ def raise_from_response(response):
     # before
     if response.status_code == 404:
         raise OpenStackCloudURINotFound(msg, response=response)
+    elif response.status_code == 400:
+        raise OpenStackCloudBadRequest(msg, response=response)
     if msg:
         raise OpenStackCloudHTTPError(msg, response=response)