diff --git a/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py b/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py
index c9eaaf148..4a5300df2 100644
--- a/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py
+++ b/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ def write_file(cls, journal, path):
                 return f"[Journal exported to {path}]"
         except IOError as e:
             return f"[{ERROR_COLOR}ERROR{RESET_COLOR}: {e.filename} {e.strerror}]"
+        except RuntimeError as e:
+            return e
 
     @classmethod
     def make_filename(cls, entry):
@@ -54,6 +56,8 @@ def write_files(cls, journal, path):
                 return "[{2}ERROR{3}: {0} {1}]".format(
                     e.filename, e.strerror, ERROR_COLOR, RESET_COLOR
                 )
+            except RuntimeError as e:
+                return e
         return "[Journal exported to {}]".format(path)
 
     def _slugify(string):
diff --git a/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py b/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py
index 3c627cd51..8983d2e4c 100644
--- a/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py
+++ b/jrnl/plugins/yaml_exporter.py
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ class YAMLExporter(TextExporter):
     def export_entry(cls, entry, to_multifile=True):
         """Returns a markdown representation of a single entry, with YAML front matter."""
         if to_multifile is False:
-            print(
+            raise RuntimeError(
                 f"{ERROR_COLOR}ERROR{RESET_COLOR}: YAML export must be to individual files. Please \
-                specify a directory to export to.",
-                file=sys.stderr,
+                specify a directory to export to."
             )
-            return
 
         date_str = entry.date.strftime(entry.journal.config["timeformat"])
         body_wrapper = "\n" if entry.body else ""
@@ -131,10 +129,8 @@ def export_entry(cls, entry, to_multifile=True):
     @classmethod
     def export_journal(cls, journal):
         """Returns an error, as YAML export requires a directory as a target."""
-        print(
+        raise RuntimeError(
             "{}ERROR{}: YAML export must be to individual files. Please specify a directory to export to.".format(
                 ERROR_COLOR, RESET_COLOR
-            ),
-            file=sys.stderr,
+            )
         )
-        return
diff --git a/tests/bdd/features/format.feature b/tests/bdd/features/format.feature
index dc5c92cac..3f0decb22 100644
--- a/tests/bdd/features/format.feature
+++ b/tests/bdd/features/format.feature
@@ -425,6 +425,20 @@ Feature: Custom formats
         | basic_folder.yaml    |
         # | basic_dayone.yaml    |
 
+    Scenario Outline: Exporting YAML to nonexistent directory leads to user-friendly error with no traceback
+        Given we use the config "<config_file>"
+        And we use the password "test" if prompted
+        When we run "jrnl --export yaml --file nonexistent_dir"
+        Then the output should contain "YAML export must be to individual files"
+        And the output should not contain "Traceback"
+
+        Examples: configs
+        | config_file          |
+        | basic_onefile.yaml   |
+        | basic_encrypted.yaml |
+        | basic_folder.yaml    |
+        | basic_dayone.yaml    |
+
     @skip_win # @todo YAML exporter does not correctly export emoji on Windows
     Scenario Outline: Add a blank line to YAML export if there isn't one already
         # https://github.com/jrnl-org/jrnl/issues/768