diff --git a/xarray/tests/test_dataarray.py b/xarray/tests/test_dataarray.py
index b99846ef087..3897530816f 100644
--- a/xarray/tests/test_dataarray.py
+++ b/xarray/tests/test_dataarray.py
@@ -3071,7 +3071,7 @@ def test_to_and_from_dict(self):
             DataArray.from_dict(d)
 
         # this one is missing some necessary information
-        d = {"dims": ("t")}
+        d = {"dims": "t"}
         with pytest.raises(
             ValueError, match=r"cannot convert dict without the key 'data'"
         ):