diff --git a/circle/common/models.py b/circle/common/models.py
index 64f3fd5..6904b3c 100644
--- a/circle/common/models.py
+++ b/circle/common/models.py
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ class HumanReadableException(HumanReadableObject, Exception):
                     "Level should be the name of an attribute of django."
                     "contrib.messages (and it should be callable with "
                     "(request, message)). Like 'error', 'warning'.")
-        else:
+        elif not hasattr(self, "level"):
             self.level = "error"
 
     def send_message(self, request, level=None):