diff --git a/src/storage/storage_driver.c b/src/storage/storage_driver.c
index 2da2feb6f8..f9652f858f 100644
--- a/src/storage/storage_driver.c
+++ b/src/storage/storage_driver.c
@@ -1583,7 +1583,7 @@ storageVolumeDownload(virStorageVolPtr obj,
     }
 
     if (vol->building) {
-        virStorageReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+        virStorageReportError(VIR_ERR_OPERATION_INVALID,
                               _("volume '%s' is still being allocated."),
                               vol->name);
         goto out;