diff --git a/src/pretix/base/services/tax.py b/src/pretix/base/services/tax.py
index 6680bff1d4..5ae1b8810b 100644
--- a/src/pretix/base/services/tax.py
+++ b/src/pretix/base/services/tax.py
@@ -93,7 +93,10 @@ def _validate_vat_id_NO(vat_id, country_code):
 
 def _validate_vat_id_EU(vat_id, country_code):
     # Inspired by vat_moss library
-    vat_id = vat_moss.id.normalize(vat_id)
+    try:
+        vat_id = vat_moss.id.normalize(vat_id)
+    except ValueError:
+        raise VATIDFinalError(error_messages['invalid'])
 
     if not vat_id or len(vat_id) < 3:
         raise VATIDFinalError(error_messages['invalid'])