diff --git a/nova/utils.py b/nova/utils.py
index efefc5fd16d..3d2f901a809 100644
--- a/nova/utils.py
+++ b/nova/utils.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 from eventlet import greenthread
 from eventlet import semaphore
 from eventlet.green import subprocess
+import mox
 import netaddr
 
 from nova import exception
@@ -689,6 +690,12 @@ def to_primitive(value, convert_instances=False, level=0):
         if test(value):
             return unicode(value)
 
+    # NOTE(vish): Workaround for LP bug 852095. Without this workaround,
+    #             tests that raise an exception in a mocked method that
+    #             has a @wrap_exception with a notifier will fail.
+    if isinstance(value, mox.MockAnything):
+        return 'mock'
+
     if level > 3:
         return '?'