diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/grades/exceptions.py b/lms/djangoapps/grades/exceptions.py
index d615f1f64d..db2793efaa 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/grades/exceptions.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/grades/exceptions.py
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ Custom exceptions raised by grades.
 """
 
 
-class DatabaseNotReadyError(IOError):
+class ScoreNotFoundError(IOError):
     """
-    Subclass of IOError to indicate the database has not yet committed
-    the data we're trying to find.
+    Subclass of IOError to indicate the staff has not yet graded the problem or
+    the database has not yet committed the data we're trying to find.
     """
     pass  # lint-amnesty, pylint: disable=unnecessary-pass
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/grades/tasks.py b/lms/djangoapps/grades/tasks.py
index 3b504e61eb..9ec237274b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/grades/tasks.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/grades/tasks.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore  # lint-amnesty, pylint: disa
 from .config.waffle import DISABLE_REGRADE_ON_POLICY_CHANGE
 from .constants import ScoreDatabaseTableEnum
 from .course_grade_factory import CourseGradeFactory
-from .exceptions import DatabaseNotReadyError
+from .exceptions import ScoreNotFoundError
 from .grade_utils import are_grades_frozen
 from .signals.signals import SUBSECTION_SCORE_CHANGED
 from .subsection_grade_factory import SubsectionGradeFactory
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ COURSE_GRADE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 1200
 KNOWN_RETRY_ERRORS = (  # Errors we expect occasionally, should be resolved on retry
     DatabaseError,
     ValidationError,
-    DatabaseNotReadyError,
+    ScoreNotFoundError,
     UsageKeyNotInBlockStructure,
 )
 RECALCULATE_GRADE_DELAY_SECONDS = 2  # to prevent excessive _has_db_updated failures. See TNL-6424.
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def _recalculate_subsection_grade(self, **kwargs):
         has_database_updated = _has_db_updated_with_new_score(self, scored_block_usage_key, **kwargs)
 
         if not has_database_updated:
-            raise DatabaseNotReadyError
+            raise ScoreNotFoundError
 
         _update_subsection_grades(
             course_key,