diff --git a/wsimod/nodes/land.py b/wsimod/nodes/land.py
index 5534116..0e2c144 100644
--- a/wsimod/nodes/land.py
+++ b/wsimod/nodes/land.py
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ def apply_overrides(self, overrides = Dict[str, Any]):
         elif isinstance(content, dict):
             self.data_input_dict = content
         else:
-            print('ERROR: not recognised format for data_input_dict')
+            raise ValueError(f'{content.__class__} is not a recognised format for data_input_dict')
         
         super().apply_overrides(overrides)