diff --git a/src/qibo/_openqasm.py b/src/qibo/_openqasm.py
index d5f6437da8..f548e951f7 100644
--- a/src/qibo/_openqasm.py
+++ b/src/qibo/_openqasm.py
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ def _get_gate(self, gate):
                     qubits, init_args
                 )
             # the gate exists in self.defined_gates but invalid construction
-            except TypeError:
+            except ValueError:
                 raise_error(
                     ValueError, f"Invalid gate declaration at span: {gate.span}"
                 )