diff --git a/classes.py b/classes.py
index e689a00..2cae9fc 100644
--- a/classes.py
+++ b/classes.py
@@ -28,12 +28,7 @@ except ImportError:
 from . import world, utils, structures, conf, __version__
 from .log import *
 from .coremods import control
-
-### Exceptions
-
-# XXX: is this the right place to put this class?
-class ProtocolError(RuntimeError):
-    pass
+from .utils import ProtocolError  # Compatibility with PyLink 1.x
 
 ### Internal classes (users, servers, channels)
 
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 156f071..52a48f9 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ class InvalidArgumentsError(TypeError):
     Exception raised (by IRCParser and potentially others) when a bot command is given invalid arguments.
     """
 
+class ProtocolError(RuntimeError):
+    """
+    Exception raised when a network protocol violation is encountered in some way.
+    """
+
 class IncrementalUIDGenerator():
     """
     Incremental UID Generator module, adapted from InspIRCd source: