diff --git a/Modules/_json.c b/Modules/_json.c
index c965176..9a3708d 100644
--- a/Modules/_json.c
+++ b/Modules/_json.c
@@ -1454,7 +1454,7 @@
         }
         else {
             /* TODO: include repr of key */
-            PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "keys must be a string");
+            PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "keys must be a string");
             goto bail;
         }