diff --git a/certbot/main.py b/certbot/main.py
index fa5d43b72..b5407370a 100644
--- a/certbot/main.py
+++ b/certbot/main.py
@@ -623,7 +623,11 @@ def _handle_exception(exc_type, exc_value, trace, config):
             # Here we're passing a client or ACME error out to the client at the shell
             # Tell the user a bit about what happened, without overwhelming
             # them with a full traceback
-            err = traceback.format_exception_only(exc_type, exc_value)[0]
+            from dialog import DialogError
+            if issubclass(exc_type, DialogError):
+                err = exc_value.complete_message()
+            else:
+                err = traceback.format_exception_only(exc_type, exc_value)[0]
             # Typical error from the ACME module:
             # acme.messages.Error: urn:acme:error:malformed :: The request message was
             # malformed :: Error creating new registration :: Validation of contact