diff --git a/devito/operator/operator.py b/devito/operator/operator.py
index b0666c6047..6a30557072 100644
--- a/devito/operator/operator.py
+++ b/devito/operator/operator.py
@@ -742,7 +742,7 @@ def arguments(self, **kwargs):
         # Check all arguments are present
         for p in self.parameters:
             if args.get(p.name) is None:
-                raise InvalidArgument(f"No value found for parameter `{p.name}`")
+                raise InvalidArgument(f"No value found for parameter {p.name}")
         return args
 
     # Code generation and JIT compilation
diff --git a/tests/test_buffering.py b/tests/test_buffering.py
index aebde40eff..c1196466e3 100644
--- a/tests/test_buffering.py
+++ b/tests/test_buffering.py
@@ -351,12 +351,8 @@ def define(self, dimensions):
     eqns = [Eq(u.forward, u + 1, subdomain=s_d0),
             Eq(u.forward, u.forward + 1, subdomain=s_d1)]
 
-    try:
+    with pytest.raises(CompilationError):
         Operator(eqns, opt='buffering')
-    except CompilationError:
-        assert True
-    except:
-        assert False
 
 
 @pytest.mark.xfail(reason="Cannot deal with non-overlapping SubDimensions yet")