diff --git a/com.ibm.wala.shrike/src/com/ibm/wala/shrikeBT/ConstantInstruction.java b/com.ibm.wala.shrike/src/com/ibm/wala/shrikeBT/ConstantInstruction.java
index 3f8a32535..378dd811a 100644
--- a/com.ibm.wala.shrike/src/com/ibm/wala/shrikeBT/ConstantInstruction.java
+++ b/com.ibm.wala.shrike/src/com/ibm/wala/shrikeBT/ConstantInstruction.java
@@ -418,6 +418,12 @@ public abstract class ConstantInstruction extends Instruction {
     final public String getType() {
       return TYPE_Class;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean isPEI() {
+      // load of a class constant may trigger a ClassNotFoundException
+      return true;
+    }
   }
 
   final static class LazyClass extends ConstClass {