diff --git a/src/PYTHON/fix_python.cpp b/src/PYTHON/fix_python.cpp
index 88a1a5088d..ffca66e77c 100644
--- a/src/PYTHON/fix_python.cpp
+++ b/src/PYTHON/fix_python.cpp
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ FixPython::FixPython(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     selected_callback = POST_FORCE;
   } else if (strcmp(arg[4],"end_of_step") == 0) {
     selected_callback = END_OF_STEP;
+  } else {
+    error->all(FLERR,"Unsupported callback name for fix/python");
   }
 
   // get Python function