diff --git a/unittest/python/python-open.py b/unittest/python/python-open.py
index 6ad7d335d5..6153e032e3 100644
--- a/unittest/python/python-open.py
+++ b/unittest/python/python-open.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ try:
         machine = ""
     lmp = lammps(name=machine)
     has_mpi = lmp.has_mpi_support
+    has_exceptions = lmp.has_exceptions
     lmp.close()
 except:
     pass
@@ -57,5 +58,32 @@ class PythonOpen(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(lmp.opened,1)
         lmp.close()
 
+    @unittest.skipIf(not has_exceptions,"Skipping death test since LAMMPS isn't compiled with exception support")
+    def testUnknownCommand(self):
+        lmp = lammps(name=self.machine)
+
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(Exception, "ERROR: Unknown command: write_paper"):
+            lmp.command("write_paper")
+
+        lmp.close()
+
+    @unittest.skipIf(not has_exceptions,"Skipping death test since LAMMPS isn't compiled with exception support")
+    def testUnknownCommandInList(self):
+        lmp = lammps(name=self.machine)
+
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(Exception, "ERROR: Unknown command: write_paper"):
+            lmp.commands_list(["write_paper"])
+
+        lmp.close()
+
+    @unittest.skipIf(not has_exceptions,"Skipping death test since LAMMPS isn't compiled with exception support")
+    def testUnknownCommandInList(self):
+        lmp = lammps(name=self.machine)
+
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(Exception, "ERROR: Unknown command: write_paper"):
+            lmp.commands_string("write_paper")
+
+        lmp.close()
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()