diff --git a/python/damask/_vtk.py b/python/damask/_vtk.py
index a2a6bd4fa..90f5e2a1c 100644
--- a/python/damask/_vtk.py
+++ b/python/damask/_vtk.py
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ class VTK:
             # string array
             return np.array([vtk_array.GetValue(i) for i in range(vtk_array.GetNumberOfValues())]).astype(str)
         except UnboundLocalError:
-            raise ValueError(f'array "{label}" not found')
+            raise KeyError(f'array "{label}" not found')
 
 
     def show(self,
diff --git a/python/tests/test_Grid.py b/python/tests/test_Grid.py
index c453b6c74..4ef62ff93 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_Grid.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_Grid.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class TestGrid:
     def test_invalid_no_material(self,tmp_path):
         v = VTK.from_image_data(np.random.randint(5,10,3)*2,np.random.random(3) + 1.0)
         v.save(tmp_path/'no_materialpoint.vti',parallel=False)
-        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
             Grid.load(tmp_path/'no_materialpoint.vti')
 
     def test_invalid_material_type(self):
diff --git a/python/tests/test_VTK.py b/python/tests/test_VTK.py
index fc2ca179b..684a05678 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_VTK.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_VTK.py
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ class TestVTK:
 
 
     def test_invalid_get(self,default):
-        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
             default.get('does_not_exist')
 
     def test_invalid_add_shape(self,default):