diff --git a/kenjutsu/kenjutsu.py b/kenjutsu/kenjutsu.py
index f2df9c7..7361826 100644
--- a/kenjutsu/kenjutsu.py
+++ b/kenjutsu/kenjutsu.py
@@ -333,13 +333,17 @@ def split_blocks(space_shape, block_shape, block_halo=None):
         ifilter, imap = filter, map
 
     if block_halo is not None:
-        assert (len(space_shape) == len(block_shape) == len(block_halo)), \
-            "The dimensions of `space_shape`, `block_shape`, and " + \
-            "`block_halo` should be the same."
+        if not (len(space_shape) == len(block_shape) == len(block_halo)):
+            raise ValueError(
+                "The dimensions of `space_shape`, `block_shape`, and"
+                " `block_halo` should be the same."
+            )
     else:
-        assert (len(space_shape) == len(block_shape)), \
-            "The dimensions of `space_shape` and `block_shape` " + \
-            "should be the same."
+        if not (len(space_shape) == len(block_shape)):
+            raise ValueError(
+               "The dimensions of `space_shape` and `block_shape` should be"
+               " the same."
+            )
 
         block_halo = tuple()
         for i in irange(len(space_shape)):
diff --git a/tests/test_kenjutsu.py b/tests/test_kenjutsu.py
index b18bb15..f15386b 100644
--- a/tests/test_kenjutsu.py
+++ b/tests/test_kenjutsu.py
@@ -196,6 +196,24 @@ def test_len_slices(self):
 
 
     def test_split_blocks(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as e:
+            kenjutsu.split_blocks((1,), (1, 2), (1, 2, 3))
+
+        self.assertEqual(
+            str(e.exception),
+            "The dimensions of `space_shape`, `block_shape`, and `block_halo`"
+            " should be the same."
+        )
+
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as e:
+            kenjutsu.split_blocks((1,), (1, 2))
+
+        self.assertEqual(
+            str(e.exception),
+            "The dimensions of `space_shape` and `block_shape` should be the"
+            " same."
+        )
+
         blocks = kenjutsu.split_blocks((2,), (1,))
         self.assertEqual(
             blocks,