diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/util/compression.py b/lib/spack/spack/util/compression.py
index 25ccfdf0bbc..224f6c04dea 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/util/compression.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/util/compression.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import llnl.url
 from llnl.util import tty
 
-from spack.error import SpackError
+from spack.util.error import UtilityError
 from spack.util.executable import CommandNotFoundError, which
 
 try:
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ def decompressor_for_win(extension):
     compression_extension = llnl.url.compression_ext_from_compressed_archive(extension)
     decompressor = _determine_py_decomp_archive_strategy(compression_extension)
     if not decompressor:
-        raise SpackError(
+        raise UtilityError(
             "Spack was unable to determine a proper decompression strategy for"
             f"valid extension: {extension}"
             "This is a bug, please file an issue at https://github.com/spack/spack/issues"