diff --git a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
index c9d27a8083..dfa5277715 100644
--- a/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/cmake/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -384,11 +384,6 @@ if(NOT ${LAMMPS_MEMALIGN} STREQUAL "0")
   target_compile_definitions(lammps PRIVATE -DLAMMPS_MEMALIGN=${LAMMPS_MEMALIGN})
 endif()
 
-option(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS "enable the use of C++ exceptions for error messages (useful for library interface)" ${ENABLE_TESTING})
-if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-  target_compile_definitions(lammps PUBLIC -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-endif()
-
 # "hard" dependencies between packages resulting
 # in an error instead of skipping over files
 pkg_depends(ML-IAP ML-SNAP)
diff --git a/cmake/Modules/LAMMPSInterfacePlugin.cmake b/cmake/Modules/LAMMPSInterfacePlugin.cmake
index c1cc613496..024dc571b3 100644
--- a/cmake/Modules/LAMMPSInterfacePlugin.cmake
+++ b/cmake/Modules/LAMMPSInterfacePlugin.cmake
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ if(MSVC)
     add_compile_options(/Zc:__cplusplus)
     add_compile_options(/wd4244)
     add_compile_options(/wd4267)
-    if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-      add_compile_options(/EHsc)
-    endif()
+    add_compile_options(/EHsc)
   endif()
   add_compile_definitions(_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS)
 endif()
diff --git a/cmake/Modules/Tools.cmake b/cmake/Modules/Tools.cmake
index 1303f55d96..b9ead04e45 100644
--- a/cmake/Modules/Tools.cmake
+++ b/cmake/Modules/Tools.cmake
@@ -44,9 +44,6 @@ if(BUILD_LAMMPS_SHELL)
   endif()
   find_package(PkgConfig REQUIRED)
   pkg_check_modules(READLINE IMPORTED_TARGET REQUIRED readline)
-  if(NOT LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-    message(WARNING "The LAMMPS shell needs LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS enabled for full functionality")
-  endif()
 
   # include resource compiler to embed icons into the executable on Windows
   if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Windows")
diff --git a/doc/src/Build_settings.rst b/doc/src/Build_settings.rst
index c2e7b94b0e..7576cae3eb 100644
--- a/doc/src/Build_settings.rst
+++ b/doc/src/Build_settings.rst
@@ -459,27 +459,13 @@ those systems:
 .. _exceptions:
 
 Exception handling when using LAMMPS as a library
-------------------------------------------------------------------
+-------------------------------------------------
 
-This setting is useful when external codes drive LAMMPS as a library.
-With this option enabled, LAMMPS errors do not kill the calling code.
-Instead, the call stack is unwound and control returns to the caller,
-e.g. to Python. Of course, the calling code has to be set up to
-*catch* exceptions thrown from within LAMMPS.
-
-.. tabs::
-
-   .. tab:: CMake build
-
-      .. code-block:: bash
-
-         -D LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS=value        # yes or no (default)
-
-   .. tab:: Traditional make
-
-      .. code-block:: make
-
-         LMP_INC = -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS   <other LMP_INC settings>
+LAMMPS errors do not kill the calling code, but throw an exception.  In
+the C-library interface, the call stack is unwound and control returns
+to the caller, e.g. to Python or a code that is coupled to LAMMPS and
+the error status can be queried.  When using C++ directly, the calling
+code has to be set up to *catch* exceptions thrown from within LAMMPS.
 
 .. note::
 
diff --git a/doc/src/Fortran.rst b/doc/src/Fortran.rst
index 3b9ad9d1ff..913c31842e 100644
--- a/doc/src/Fortran.rst
+++ b/doc/src/Fortran.rst
@@ -2278,19 +2278,13 @@ Procedures Bound to the :f:type:`lammps` Derived Type
 
    .. versionadded:: 3Nov2022
 
-   In case of an error, LAMMPS will either abort or throw a C++ exception.
-   The latter has to be :ref:`enabled at compile time <exceptions>`.
-   This function checks if exceptions were enabled.
-
-   When using the library interface with C++ exceptions enabled, the library
-   interface functions will "catch" them, and the error status can then be
-   checked by calling :f:func:`has_error`. The most recent error message can be
-   retrieved via :f:func:`get_last_error_message`.
-   This can allow one to restart a calculation or delete and recreate
-   the LAMMPS instance when a C++ exception occurs.  One application
-   of using exceptions this way is the :ref:`lammps_shell`.  If C++
-   exceptions are disabled and an error happens during a call to
-   LAMMPS or the Fortran API, the application will terminate.
+   When using the library interface, the library interface functions
+   will "catch" exceptions, and then the error status can be checked by
+   calling :f:func:`has_error`.  The most recent error message can be
+   retrieved via :f:func:`get_last_error_message`.  This allows to
+   restart a calculation or delete and recreate the LAMMPS instance when
+   a C++ exception occurs.  One application of using exceptions this way
+   is the :ref:`lammps_shell`.
 
    :to: :cpp:func:`lammps_config_has_exceptions`
    :r has_exceptions:
diff --git a/doc/src/Howto_cmake.rst b/doc/src/Howto_cmake.rst
index c997aa52bf..627f9e458c 100644
--- a/doc/src/Howto_cmake.rst
+++ b/doc/src/Howto_cmake.rst
@@ -338,8 +338,6 @@ Some common LAMMPS specific variables
      - common compiler flags, for optimization or instrumentation (default:)
    * - ``LAMMPS_MACHINE``
      - when set to ``name`` the LAMMPS executable and library will be called ``lmp_name`` and ``liblammps_name.a``
-   * - ``LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS``
-     - when set to ``on`` errors will throw a C++ exception instead of aborting (default: ``off``)
    * - ``FFT``
      - select which FFT library to use: ``FFTW3``, ``MKL``, ``KISS`` (default, unless FFTW3 is found)
    * - ``FFT_SINGLE``
@@ -412,9 +410,9 @@ interface (``ccmake`` or ``cmake-gui``).
 
    Using a preset to select a compiler package (``clang.cmake``,
    ``gcc.cmake``, ``intel.cmake``, ``oneapi.cmake``, or ``pgi.cmake``)
-   are an exception to the mechanism of updating the configuration incrementally,
-   as they will trigger a reset of cached internal CMake settings and thus
-   reset settings to their default values.
+   are an exception to the mechanism of updating the configuration
+   incrementally, as they will trigger a reset of cached internal CMake
+   settings and thus reset settings to their default values.
 
 Compilation and build targets
 -----------------------------
diff --git a/doc/src/Howto_pylammps.rst b/doc/src/Howto_pylammps.rst
index 9a9fef5efc..2db61cd5bb 100644
--- a/doc/src/Howto_pylammps.rst
+++ b/doc/src/Howto_pylammps.rst
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@ System-wide Installation
 Step 1: Building LAMMPS as a shared library
 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 
-To use LAMMPS inside of Python it has to be compiled as shared library. This
-library is then loaded by the Python interface. In this example we enable the
-MOLECULE package and compile LAMMPS with C++ exceptions, PNG, JPEG and FFMPEG
-output support enabled.
+To use LAMMPS inside of Python it has to be compiled as shared
+library. This library is then loaded by the Python interface. In this
+example we enable the MOLECULE package and compile LAMMPS with PNG, JPEG
+and FFMPEG output support enabled.
 
 Step 1a: For the CMake based build system, the steps are:
 
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Step 1a: For the CMake based build system, the steps are:
    cd  $LAMMPS_DIR/build-shared
 
    # MPI, PNG, Jpeg, FFMPEG are auto-detected
-   cmake ../cmake -DPKG_MOLECULE=yes -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS=yes -DBUILD_LIB=yes -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=yes
+   cmake ../cmake -DPKG_MOLECULE=yes -DBUILD_LIB=yes -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=yes
    make
 
 Step 1b: For the legacy, make based build system, the steps are:
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Step 1b: For the legacy, make based build system, the steps are:
    make yes-MOLECULE
 
    # compile shared library using Makefile
-   make mpi mode=shlib LMP_INC="-DLAMMPS_PNG -DLAMMPS_JPEG -DLAMMPS_FFMPEG -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS" JPG_LIB="-lpng -ljpeg"
+   make mpi mode=shlib LMP_INC="-DLAMMPS_PNG -DLAMMPS_JPEG -DLAMMPS_FFMPEG" JPG_LIB="-lpng -ljpeg"
 
 Step 2: Installing the LAMMPS Python package
 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
@@ -356,18 +356,16 @@ Together with matplotlib plotting data out of LAMMPS becomes simple:
 Error handling with PyLammps
 ----------------------------
 
-Compiling the shared library with C++ exception support provides a better error
-handling experience.  Without exceptions the LAMMPS code will terminate the
-current Python process with an error message.  C++ exceptions allow capturing
-them on the C++ side and rethrowing them on the Python side. This way you
-can handle LAMMPS errors through the Python exception handling mechanism.
+Using C++ exceptions in LAMMPS for errors allows capturing them on the
+C++ side and rethrowing them on the Python side.  This way you can handle
+LAMMPS errors through the Python exception handling mechanism.
 
 .. warning::
 
    Capturing a LAMMPS exception in Python can still mean that the
-   current LAMMPS process is in an illegal state and must be terminated. It is
-   advised to save your data and terminate the Python instance as quickly as
-   possible.
+   current LAMMPS process is in an illegal state and must be
+   terminated. It is advised to save your data and terminate the Python
+   instance as quickly as possible.
 
 Using PyLammps in IPython notebooks and Jupyter
 -----------------------------------------------
diff --git a/doc/src/Python_error.rst b/doc/src/Python_error.rst
index 5dbd940723..f6a94c0e82 100644
--- a/doc/src/Python_error.rst
+++ b/doc/src/Python_error.rst
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 Handling LAMMPS errors
-*******************************
+**********************
 
-Compiling the shared library with :ref:`C++ exception support <exceptions>` provides a better error
-handling experience. Without exceptions the LAMMPS code will terminate the
-current Python process with an error message.  C++ exceptions allow capturing
-them on the C++ side and rethrowing them on the Python side. This way
-LAMMPS errors can be handled through the Python exception handling mechanism.
+The shared library is compiled with :ref:`C++ exception support
+<exceptions>` to provide a better error handling experience.  C++
+exceptions allow capturing errors on the C++ side and rethrowing them on
+the Python side.  This way LAMMPS errors can be handled through the
+Python exception handling mechanism.
 
 .. code-block:: python
 
@@ -31,6 +31,6 @@ LAMMPS errors can be handled through the Python exception handling mechanism.
 .. warning::
 
    Capturing a LAMMPS exception in Python can still mean that the
-   current LAMMPS process is in an illegal state and must be terminated. It is
-   advised to save your data and terminate the Python instance as quickly as
-   possible.
+   current LAMMPS process is in an illegal state and must be
+   terminated. It is advised to save your data and terminate the Python
+   instance as quickly as possible when running in parallel with MPI.
diff --git a/examples/COUPLE/plugin/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/COUPLE/plugin/CMakeLists.txt
index f4064d3f65..14bef44ffa 100644
--- a/examples/COUPLE/plugin/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/COUPLE/plugin/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -23,9 +23,7 @@ endif()
 # and prints lots of pointless warnings about "unsafe" functions
 if(MSVC)
   if(CMAKE_C_COMPILER_ID STREQUAL "MSVC")
-    if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-      add_compile_options(/EHsc)
-    endif()
+    add_compile_options(/EHsc)
   endif()
   add_compile_definitions(_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS)
 endif()
diff --git a/examples/COUPLE/simple/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/COUPLE/simple/CMakeLists.txt
index 14c253e5a1..eed9a147bd 100644
--- a/examples/COUPLE/simple/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/COUPLE/simple/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@ endif()
 # and prints lots of pointless warnings about "unsafe" functions
 if(MSVC)
   if(CMAKE_C_COMPILER_ID STREQUAL "MSVC")
-    if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-      add_compile_options(/EHsc)
-    endif()
+    add_compile_options(/EHsc)
   endif()
   add_compile_definitions(_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS)
 endif()
diff --git a/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
index 688835de56..ef494fe941 100644
--- a/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -36,9 +36,7 @@ else()
       add_compile_options(/Zc:__cplusplus)
       add_compile_options(/wd4244)
       add_compile_options(/wd4267)
-      if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-        add_compile_options(/EHsc)
-      endif()
+      add_compile_options(/EHsc)
     endif()
     add_compile_definitions(_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS)
   endif()
diff --git a/src/error.cpp b/src/error.cpp
index 53b14e1fcc..4aaa93aa31 100644
--- a/src/error.cpp
+++ b/src/error.cpp
@@ -18,10 +18,7 @@
 #include "input.h"
 #include "output.h"
 #include "universe.h"
-
-#if defined(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
 #include "update.h"
-#endif
 
 using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 
@@ -40,10 +37,8 @@ static std::string truncpath(const std::string &path)
 Error::Error(LAMMPS *lmp)
   : Pointers(lmp), numwarn(0), maxwarn(100), allwarn(0)
 {
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
   last_error_message.clear();
   last_error_type = ERROR_NONE;
-#endif
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -73,19 +68,11 @@ void Error::universe_all(const std::string &file, int line, const std::string &s
   }
   if (universe->ulogfile) fclose(universe->ulogfile);
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
-
   // allow commands if an exception was caught in a run
   // update may be a null pointer when catching command line errors
 
   if (update) update->whichflag = 0;
-
   throw LAMMPSException(mesg);
-#else
-  KokkosLMP::finalize();
-  MPI_Finalize();
-  exit(1);
-#endif
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -99,19 +86,11 @@ void Error::universe_one(const std::string &file, int line, const std::string &s
                                  universe->me,str,truncpath(file),line);
   if (universe->uscreen) fputs(mesg.c_str(),universe->uscreen);
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
-
   // allow commands if an exception was caught in a run
   // update may be a null pointer when catching command line errors
 
   if (update) update->whichflag = 0;
-
   throw LAMMPSAbortException(mesg, universe->uworld);
-#else
-  KokkosLMP::finalize();
-  MPI_Abort(universe->uworld,1);
-  exit(1); // to trick "smart" compilers into believing this does not return
-#endif
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -155,31 +134,17 @@ void Error::all(const std::string &file, int line, const std::string &str)
     utils::logmesg(lmp,mesg);
   }
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
-
   // allow commands if an exception was caught in a run
   // update may be a null pointer when catching command line errors
 
   if (update) update->whichflag = 0;
 
-  std::string msg = fmt::format("ERROR: {} ({}:{})\n",
-                                str, truncpath(file), line);
+  std::string msg = fmt::format("ERROR: {} ({}:{})\n", str, truncpath(file), line);
 
-  if (universe->nworlds > 1) {
+  if (universe->nworlds > 1)
     throw LAMMPSAbortException(msg, universe->uworld);
-  }
-
-  throw LAMMPSException(msg);
-#else
-  if (output) delete output;
-  if (screen && screen != stdout) fclose(screen);
-  if (logfile) fclose(logfile);
-
-  KokkosLMP::finalize();
-  if (universe->nworlds > 1) MPI_Abort(universe->uworld,1);
-  MPI_Finalize();
-  exit(1);
-#endif
+  else
+    throw LAMMPSException(msg);
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -204,20 +169,11 @@ void Error::one(const std::string &file, int line, const std::string &str)
     if (universe->uscreen)
       fputs(mesg.c_str(),universe->uscreen);
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
-
   // allow commands if an exception was caught in a run
   // update may be a null pointer when catching command line errors
 
   if (update) update->whichflag = 0;
-
   throw LAMMPSAbortException(mesg, world);
-#else
-  utils::flush_buffers(lmp);
-  KokkosLMP::finalize();
-  MPI_Abort(world,1);
-  exit(1); // to trick "smart" compilers into believing this does not return
-#endif
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -322,10 +278,8 @@ void Error::done(int status)
   exit(status);
 }
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-   return the last error message reported by LAMMPS (only used if
-   compiled with -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
+   return the last error message reported by LAMMPS
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 std::string Error::get_last_error() const
@@ -334,8 +288,7 @@ std::string Error::get_last_error() const
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-   return the type of the last error reported by LAMMPS (only used if
-   compiled with -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
+   return the type of the last error reported by LAMMPS
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 ErrorType Error::get_last_error_type() const
@@ -345,12 +298,10 @@ ErrorType Error::get_last_error_type() const
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    set the last error message and error type
-   (only used if compiled with -DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
-void Error::set_last_error(const std::string &msg, ErrorType type)
+void Error::set_last_error(const char *msg, ErrorType type)
 {
   last_error_message = msg;
   last_error_type = type;
 }
-#endif
diff --git a/src/error.h b/src/error.h
index bb3d8705cb..95a58c81e3 100644
--- a/src/error.h
+++ b/src/error.h
@@ -15,10 +15,7 @@
 #define LMP_ERROR_H
 
 #include "pointers.h"
-
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
 #include "exceptions.h"
-#endif
 
 namespace LAMMPS_NS {
 
@@ -65,17 +62,14 @@ class Error : protected Pointers {
   void set_maxwarn(int val) { maxwarn = val; }
   void set_allwarn(int val) { allwarn = val; }
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
   std::string get_last_error() const;
   ErrorType get_last_error_type() const;
-  void set_last_error(const std::string &msg, ErrorType type = ERROR_NORMAL);
+  void set_last_error(const char *msg, ErrorType type = ERROR_NORMAL);
 
  private:
   std::string last_error_message;
   ErrorType last_error_type;
-#endif
 
- private:
   int numwarn, maxwarn, allwarn;
   // internal versions that accept explicit fmtlib arguments
   [[noreturn]] void _all(const std::string &, int, fmt::string_view, fmt::format_args args);
diff --git a/src/exceptions.h b/src/exceptions.h
index 5c4aa99971..7d9aabfda0 100644
--- a/src/exceptions.h
+++ b/src/exceptions.h
@@ -22,21 +22,23 @@ namespace LAMMPS_NS {
 
 class LAMMPSException : public std::exception {
  public:
-  std::string message;
-
   LAMMPSException(const std::string &msg) : message(msg) {}
-
   const char *what() const noexcept override { return message.c_str(); }
+
+ protected:
+  std::string message;
 };
 
 class LAMMPSAbortException : public LAMMPSException {
  public:
-  MPI_Comm universe;
-
   LAMMPSAbortException(const std::string &msg, MPI_Comm _universe) :
       LAMMPSException(msg), universe(_universe)
   {
   }
+  MPI_Comm get_universe() const { return universe; }
+
+ protected:
+  MPI_Comm universe;
 };
 
 enum ErrorType { ERROR_NONE = 0, ERROR_NORMAL = 1, ERROR_ABORT = 2 };
diff --git a/src/info.cpp b/src/info.cpp
index 4b9a761af5..d99cbbe562 100644
--- a/src/info.cpp
+++ b/src/info.cpp
@@ -298,7 +298,6 @@ void Info::command(int narg, char **arg)
     if (has_jpeg_support()) fputs("-DLAMMPS_JPEG\n",out);
     if (has_ffmpeg_support()) fputs("-DLAMMPS_FFMPEG\n",out);
     if (has_fft_single_support()) fputs("-DFFT_SINGLE\n",out);
-    if (has_exceptions()) fputs("-DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS\n",out);
 
 #if defined(LAMMPS_BIGBIG)
     fputs("-DLAMMPS_BIGBIG\n",out);
@@ -1096,11 +1095,7 @@ bool Info::has_fft_single_support() {
 }
 
 bool Info::has_exceptions() {
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
   return true;
-#else
-  return false;
-#endif
 }
 
 bool Info::has_package(const std::string &package_name) {
diff --git a/src/lammps.cpp b/src/lammps.cpp
index 9ac4c98bc3..3b137bf52e 100644
--- a/src/lammps.cpp
+++ b/src/lammps.cpp
@@ -1437,7 +1437,6 @@ void LAMMPS::print_config(FILE *fp)
   if (Info::has_jpeg_support()) fputs("-DLAMMPS_JPEG\n",fp);
   if (Info::has_ffmpeg_support()) fputs("-DLAMMPS_FFMPEG\n",fp);
   if (Info::has_fft_single_support()) fputs("-DFFT_SINGLE\n",fp);
-  if (Info::has_exceptions()) fputs("-DLAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS\n",fp);
 #if defined(LAMMPS_BIGBIG)
   fputs("-DLAMMPS_BIGBIG\n",fp);
 #elif defined(LAMMPS_SMALLBIG)
diff --git a/src/library.cpp b/src/library.cpp
index d61c83be7c..0d8711c520 100644
--- a/src/library.cpp
+++ b/src/library.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include "domain.h"
 #include "dump.h"
 #include "error.h"
+#include "exceptions.h"
 #include "fix.h"
 #include "fix_external.h"
 #include "force.h"
@@ -53,10 +54,6 @@
 
 #include <cstring>
 
-#if defined(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-#include "exceptions.h"
-#endif
-
 #if defined(LMP_PYTHON)
 #include <Python.h>
 #endif
@@ -96,7 +93,6 @@ static void ptr_argument_warning()
    END_CAPTURE
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
 #define BEGIN_CAPTURE \
   Error *error = lmp->error; \
   try
@@ -104,20 +100,16 @@ static void ptr_argument_warning()
 #define END_CAPTURE \
   catch(LAMMPSAbortException &ae) { \
     int nprocs = 0; \
-    MPI_Comm_size(ae.universe, &nprocs ); \
+    MPI_Comm_size(ae.get_universe(), &nprocs ); \
     \
     if (nprocs > 1) { \
-      error->set_last_error(ae.message, ERROR_ABORT); \
+      error->set_last_error(ae.what(), ERROR_ABORT); \
     } else { \
-      error->set_last_error(ae.message, ERROR_NORMAL); \
+      error->set_last_error(ae.what(), ERROR_NORMAL); \
     } \
   } catch(LAMMPSException &e) { \
-    error->set_last_error(e.message, ERROR_NORMAL); \
+    error->set_last_error(e.what(), ERROR_NORMAL); \
   }
-#else
-#define BEGIN_CAPTURE
-#define END_CAPTURE
-#endif
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Library functions to create/destroy an instance of LAMMPS
@@ -179,23 +171,20 @@ void *lammps_open(int argc, char **argv, MPI_Comm comm, void **ptr)
   lammps_mpi_init();
   if (ptr) ptr_argument_warning();
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
-  try
-  {
+  try {
     lammps_last_global_errormessage.clear();
     lmp = new LAMMPS(argc, argv, comm);
     if (ptr) *ptr = (void *) lmp;
-  }
-  catch(LAMMPSException &e) {
-    lammps_last_global_errormessage = e.message;
+  } catch (fmt::format_error &fe) {
+    lammps_last_global_errormessage = fe.what();
+    fprintf(stderr, "fmt::format_error: %s\n", fe.what());
+    if (ptr) *ptr = nullptr;
+  } catch(LAMMPSException &e) {
+    lammps_last_global_errormessage = e.what();
 
-    fmt::print(stderr, "LAMMPS Exception: {}", e.message);
+    fmt::print(stderr, "LAMMPS Exception: {}", e.what());
     if (ptr) *ptr = nullptr;
   }
-#else
-  lmp = new LAMMPS(argc, argv, comm);
-  if (ptr) *ptr = (void *) lmp;
-#endif
   return (void *) lmp;
 }
 
@@ -490,7 +479,6 @@ void lammps_error(void *handle, int error_type, const char *error_text)
   }
   END_CAPTURE
 
-#if defined(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
     // with enabled exceptions the above code will simply throw an
     // exception and record the error message. So we have to explicitly
     // stop here like we do in main.cpp
@@ -506,7 +494,6 @@ void lammps_error(void *handle, int error_type, const char *error_text)
       exit(1);
     }
   }
-#endif
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -2345,9 +2332,7 @@ void *lammps_extract_variable(void *handle, const char *name, const char *group)
     }
   }
   END_CAPTURE
-#if defined(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
   return nullptr;
-#endif
 }
 
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@@ -5483,6 +5468,13 @@ int lammps_config_has_ffmpeg_support() {
 /** Check whether LAMMPS errors will throw C++ exceptions.
  *
 \verbatim embed:rst
+
+.. deprecated:: TBD
+
+   LAMMPS has now exceptions always enabled, so this function
+   will now always return 1 and can be removed from applications
+   using the library interface.
+
 In case of an error, LAMMPS will either abort or throw a C++ exception.
 The latter has to be :ref:`enabled at compile time <exceptions>`.
 This function checks if exceptions were enabled.
@@ -6516,8 +6508,8 @@ has thrown a :ref:`C++ exception <exceptions>`.
  * \param handle   pointer to a previously created LAMMPS instance cast to ``void *`` or NULL
  * \return 0 on no error, 1 on error.
  */
-int lammps_has_error(void *handle) {
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
+int lammps_has_error(void *handle)
+{
   if (handle) {
     LAMMPS *lmp = (LAMMPS *) handle;
     Error *error = lmp->error;
@@ -6525,9 +6517,6 @@ int lammps_has_error(void *handle) {
   } else {
     return lammps_last_global_errormessage.empty() ? 0 : 1;
   }
-#else
-  return 0;
-#endif
 }
 
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@@ -6569,8 +6558,8 @@ the failing MPI ranks to send messages.
  * \param  buf_size  size of the provided string buffer
  * \return           1 when all ranks had the error, 2 on a single rank error. */
 
-int lammps_get_last_error_message(void *handle, char *buffer, int buf_size) {
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
+int lammps_get_last_error_message(void *handle, char *buffer, int buf_size)
+{
   if (handle) {
     LAMMPS *lmp = (LAMMPS *) handle;
     Error *error = lmp->error;
@@ -6591,7 +6580,6 @@ int lammps_get_last_error_message(void *handle, char *buffer, int buf_size) {
       return 1;
     }
   }
-#endif
   return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index e3e304a0d4..caf1d4d53c 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -13,13 +13,10 @@
 
 #include "lammps.h"
 
+#include "exceptions.h"
 #include "input.h"
 #include "library.h"
 
-#if defined(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-#include "exceptions.h"
-#endif
-
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <mpi.h>
 
@@ -75,14 +72,13 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
   feenableexcept(FE_OVERFLOW);
 #endif
 
-#ifdef LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS
   try {
     auto lammps = new LAMMPS(argc, argv, lammps_comm);
     lammps->input->file();
     delete lammps;
   } catch (LAMMPSAbortException &ae) {
     finalize();
-    MPI_Abort(ae.universe, 1);
+    MPI_Abort(ae.get_universe(), 1);
   } catch (LAMMPSException &) {
     finalize();
     MPI_Barrier(lammps_comm);
@@ -99,18 +95,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Abort(MPI_COMM_WORLD, 1);
     exit(1);
   }
-#else
-  try {
-    auto lammps = new LAMMPS(argc, argv, lammps_comm);
-    lammps->input->file();
-    delete lammps;
-  } catch (fmt::format_error &fe) {
-    fprintf(stderr, "fmt::format_error: %s\n", fe.what());
-    finalize();
-    MPI_Abort(MPI_COMM_WORLD, 1);
-    exit(1);
-  }
-#endif
   finalize();
   MPI_Barrier(lammps_comm);
   MPI_Finalize();
diff --git a/tools/lammps-gui/CMakeLists.txt b/tools/lammps-gui/CMakeLists.txt
index b942b6c8b8..53bd5c68e4 100644
--- a/tools/lammps-gui/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tools/lammps-gui/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,9 +13,6 @@ option(LAMMPS_GUI_USE_PLUGIN "Load LAMMPS library dynamically at runtime" OFF)
 mark_as_advanced(LAMMPS_GUI_USE_PLUGIN)
 
 # checks
-if(NOT LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-  message(FATAL_ERROR "Must enable LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS for building the LAMMPS GUI")
-endif()
 if(BUILD_MPI)
   message(FATAL_ERROR "Must disable BUILD_MPI for building the LAMMPS GUI")
 endif()
diff --git a/unittest/c-library/CMakeLists.txt b/unittest/c-library/CMakeLists.txt
index 3e5b7a8cc0..e55e94f709 100644
--- a/unittest/c-library/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/unittest/c-library/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -46,13 +46,6 @@ else()
 endif()
 list(APPEND TEST_CONFIG_DEFS -DLAMMPS_HAS_MPI=${HAS_MPI})
 
-if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-  set(HAS_EXCEPTIONS 1)
-else()
-  set(HAS_EXCEPTIONS 0)
-endif()
-list(APPEND TEST_CONFIG_DEFS -DLAMMPS_HAS_EXCEPTIONS=${HAS_EXCEPTIONS})
-
 foreach(WITH "JPEG" "PNG" "GZIP" "FFMPEG")
   if(WITH_${WITH})
     set(HAS_${WITH} 1)
diff --git a/unittest/c-library/test_library_config.cpp b/unittest/c-library/test_library_config.cpp
index f402ffc2e9..78d6439c17 100644
--- a/unittest/c-library/test_library_config.cpp
+++ b/unittest/c-library/test_library_config.cpp
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ TEST_F(LibraryConfig, force_timeout)
 
 TEST(LAMMPSConfig, exceptions)
 {
-    EXPECT_EQ(lammps_config_has_exceptions(), LAMMPS_HAS_EXCEPTIONS);
+    EXPECT_EQ(lammps_config_has_exceptions(), 1);
 };
 
 TEST(LAMMPSConfig, mpi_support)
diff --git a/unittest/c-library/test_library_properties.cpp b/unittest/c-library/test_library_properties.cpp
index 14eab06213..0c5ad2c809 100644
--- a/unittest/c-library/test_library_properties.cpp
+++ b/unittest/c-library/test_library_properties.cpp
@@ -518,9 +518,6 @@ TEST_F(LibraryProperties, neighlist)
 
 TEST_F(LibraryProperties, has_error)
 {
-    // need errors to throw exceptions to be able to intercept them.
-    if (!lammps_config_has_exceptions()) GTEST_SKIP();
-
     EXPECT_EQ(lammps_has_error(lmp), 0);
 
     // trigger an error, but hide output
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_compute_chunk.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_compute_chunk.cpp
index 3b306ab04b..8e919c0612 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_compute_chunk.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_compute_chunk.cpp
@@ -402,9 +402,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_compute_global.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_compute_global.cpp
index 04913f51b5..d3d883a73e 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_compute_global.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_compute_global.cpp
@@ -393,9 +393,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_delete_atoms.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_delete_atoms.cpp
index e348000969..7c09e7497e 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_delete_atoms.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_delete_atoms.cpp
@@ -161,9 +161,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_groups.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_groups.cpp
index 57820a4548..b91a6108d9 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_groups.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_groups.cpp
@@ -469,9 +469,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_kim_commands.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_kim_commands.cpp
index 2e6e758c76..5f997dccdf 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_kim_commands.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_kim_commands.cpp
@@ -683,9 +683,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_labelmap.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_labelmap.cpp
index f25351e1d9..ebdab08ad3 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_labelmap.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_labelmap.cpp
@@ -299,9 +299,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_lattice_region.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_lattice_region.cpp
index 8dd15396b2..da36628b7f 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_lattice_region.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_lattice_region.cpp
@@ -632,9 +632,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_regions.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_regions.cpp
index 8d5134535a..370799afea 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_regions.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_regions.cpp
@@ -285,9 +285,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_reset_atoms.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_reset_atoms.cpp
index a0afe36324..d09a60c886 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_reset_atoms.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_reset_atoms.cpp
@@ -806,9 +806,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_set_property.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_set_property.cpp
index 62af47f2ed..36b86b3526 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_set_property.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_set_property.cpp
@@ -460,9 +460,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_simple_commands.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_simple_commands.cpp
index db6ee3c1e7..1c995603e1 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_simple_commands.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_simple_commands.cpp
@@ -560,9 +560,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/commands/test_variables.cpp b/unittest/commands/test_variables.cpp
index 8374a10690..90a8d013a3 100644
--- a/unittest/commands/test_variables.cpp
+++ b/unittest/commands/test_variables.cpp
@@ -774,9 +774,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/cplusplus/test_advanced_utils.cpp b/unittest/cplusplus/test_advanced_utils.cpp
index 6b71c9ea34..0453ef0143 100644
--- a/unittest/cplusplus/test_advanced_utils.cpp
+++ b/unittest/cplusplus/test_advanced_utils.cpp
@@ -224,9 +224,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/cplusplus/test_error_class.cpp b/unittest/cplusplus/test_error_class.cpp
index 779cbfbba6..b7eecb0337 100644
--- a/unittest/cplusplus/test_error_class.cpp
+++ b/unittest/cplusplus/test_error_class.cpp
@@ -125,9 +125,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = LAMMPS_NS::utils::split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/formats/test_file_operations.cpp b/unittest/formats/test_file_operations.cpp
index d48dee34b2..f1a6ce42f5 100644
--- a/unittest/formats/test_file_operations.cpp
+++ b/unittest/formats/test_file_operations.cpp
@@ -618,9 +618,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/formats/test_molecule_file.cpp b/unittest/formats/test_molecule_file.cpp
index 2f4336ab8a..8fe1fc1eab 100644
--- a/unittest/formats/test_molecule_file.cpp
+++ b/unittest/formats/test_molecule_file.cpp
@@ -409,9 +409,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/formats/test_potential_file_reader.cpp b/unittest/formats/test_potential_file_reader.cpp
index b19c4166a1..3d14a73d31 100644
--- a/unittest/formats/test_potential_file_reader.cpp
+++ b/unittest/formats/test_potential_file_reader.cpp
@@ -323,9 +323,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/formats/test_text_file_reader.cpp b/unittest/formats/test_text_file_reader.cpp
index 3146740b3a..8615b71b2a 100644
--- a/unittest/formats/test_text_file_reader.cpp
+++ b/unittest/formats/test_text_file_reader.cpp
@@ -166,9 +166,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     ::testing::InitGoogleMock(&argc, argv);
 
-    if (platform::mpi_vendor() == "Open MPI" && !Info::has_exceptions())
-        std::cout << "Warning: using OpenMPI without exceptions. Death tests will be skipped\n";
-
     // handle arguments passed via environment variable
     if (const char *var = getenv("TEST_ARGS")) {
         std::vector<std::string> env = split_words(var);
diff --git a/unittest/fortran/wrap_properties.cpp b/unittest/fortran/wrap_properties.cpp
index b7ad029a1c..49ec134742 100644
--- a/unittest/fortran/wrap_properties.cpp
+++ b/unittest/fortran/wrap_properties.cpp
@@ -123,9 +123,6 @@ TEST_F(LAMMPS_properties, extract_setting)
 
 TEST_F(LAMMPS_properties, has_error)
 {
-    // need errors to throw exceptions to be able to intercept them.
-    if (!lammps_config_has_exceptions()) GTEST_SKIP();
-
     EXPECT_EQ(f_lammps_has_error(), lammps_has_error(lmp));
     EXPECT_EQ(f_lammps_has_error(), 0);
 
diff --git a/unittest/python/CMakeLists.txt b/unittest/python/CMakeLists.txt
index fbd7ca0672..750716eb1a 100644
--- a/unittest/python/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/unittest/python/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -86,13 +86,10 @@ if(Python_EXECUTABLE)
            WORKING_DIRECTORY ${EXECUTABLE_OUTPUT_PATH})
   set_tests_properties(PythonOpen PROPERTIES ENVIRONMENT "${PYTHON_TEST_ENVIRONMENT}")
 
-  # some of the tests in this file will fail without exceptions enabled
-  if(LAMMPS_EXCEPTIONS)
-    add_test(NAME PythonCommands
-             COMMAND ${PYTHON_TEST_RUNNER} ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/python-commands.py -v
-             WORKING_DIRECTORY ${EXECUTABLE_OUTPUT_PATH})
-    set_tests_properties(PythonCommands PROPERTIES ENVIRONMENT "${PYTHON_TEST_ENVIRONMENT}")
-  endif()
+  add_test(NAME PythonCommands
+           COMMAND ${PYTHON_TEST_RUNNER} ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/python-commands.py -v
+           WORKING_DIRECTORY ${EXECUTABLE_OUTPUT_PATH})
+  set_tests_properties(PythonCommands PROPERTIES ENVIRONMENT "${PYTHON_TEST_ENVIRONMENT}")
 
   add_test(NAME PythonNumpy
            COMMAND ${PYTHON_TEST_RUNNER} ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/python-numpy.py -v
diff --git a/unittest/python/python-open.py b/unittest/python/python-open.py
index 3c9165b8c8..f555be25dd 100644
--- a/unittest/python/python-open.py
+++ b/unittest/python/python-open.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from lammps import lammps
 
 has_mpi=False
 has_mpi4py=False
-has_exceptions=False
+
 try:
     from mpi4py import __version__ as mpi4py_version
     # tested to work with mpi4py versions 2 and 3
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ try:
         machine = ""
     lmp = lammps(name=machine)
     has_mpi = lmp.has_mpi_support
-    has_exceptions = lmp.has_exceptions
     lmp.close()
 except:
     pass
@@ -79,7 +78,6 @@ 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)
 
@@ -88,7 +86,6 @@ class PythonOpen(unittest.TestCase):
 
         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)
 
@@ -97,7 +94,6 @@ class PythonOpen(unittest.TestCase):
 
         lmp.close()
 
-    @unittest.skipIf(not has_exceptions,"Skipping death test since LAMMPS isn't compiled with exception support")
     def testUnknownCommandInString(self):
         lmp = lammps(name=self.machine)
 
diff --git a/unittest/testing/core.h b/unittest/testing/core.h
index 272d1d21c5..88503dc188 100644
--- a/unittest/testing/core.h
+++ b/unittest/testing/core.h
@@ -32,21 +32,12 @@ using LAMMPS_NS::LAMMPSException;
 
 using ::testing::ContainsRegex;
 
-#define TEST_FAILURE(errmsg, ...)                                                               \
-    if (Info::has_exceptions()) {                                                               \
-        ::testing::internal::CaptureStdout();                                                   \
-        ASSERT_ANY_THROW({__VA_ARGS__});                                                        \
-        auto mesg = ::testing::internal::GetCapturedStdout();                                   \
-        ASSERT_THAT(mesg, ContainsRegex(errmsg));                                               \
-    } else {                                                                                    \
-        if (LAMMPS_NS::platform::mpi_vendor() != "Open MPI") {                                             \
-            ::testing::internal::CaptureStdout();                                               \
-            ASSERT_DEATH({__VA_ARGS__}, "");                                                    \
-            auto mesg = ::testing::internal::GetCapturedStdout();                               \
-            ASSERT_THAT(mesg, ContainsRegex(errmsg));                                           \
-        } else {                                                                                \
-            std::cerr << "[          ] [ INFO ] Skipping death test (no exception support) \n"; \
-        }                                                                                       \
+#define TEST_FAILURE(errmsg, ...)                             \
+    {                                                         \
+        ::testing::internal::CaptureStdout();                 \
+        ASSERT_ANY_THROW({__VA_ARGS__});                      \
+        auto mesg = ::testing::internal::GetCapturedStdout(); \
+        ASSERT_THAT(mesg, ContainsRegex(errmsg));             \
     }
 
 // whether to print verbose output (i.e. not capturing LAMMPS screen output).
diff --git a/unittest/utils/test_lepton.cpp b/unittest/utils/test_lepton.cpp
index 415752c70d..7b2c86f05f 100644
--- a/unittest/utils/test_lepton.cpp
+++ b/unittest/utils/test_lepton.cpp
@@ -73,16 +73,14 @@ TEST_F(LeptonUtilsTest, substitute)
     lmp->update->reset_timestep(100LL, false);
     ASSERT_THAT(LeptonUtils::substitute("(2.5/v_pre)", lmp), StrEq("(2.5/0.1)"));
 
-    if (LAMMPS_NS::Info::has_exceptions()) {
-        bool caught = false;
-        try {
-            LeptonUtils::substitute("v_none", lmp);
-        } catch (std::exception &e) {
-            ASSERT_THAT(e.what(), StrEq("Variable none in expression v_none does not exist"));
-            caught = true;
-        }
-        ASSERT_TRUE(caught);
+    bool caught = false;
+    try {
+        LeptonUtils::substitute("v_none", lmp);
+    } catch (std::exception &e) {
+        ASSERT_THAT(e.what(), StrEq("Variable none in expression v_none does not exist"));
+        caught = true;
     }
+    ASSERT_TRUE(caught);
 }
 
 // zbl() custom function