diff --git a/jax/core.py b/jax/core.py
index d7f91477c8af..94de3b4e949a 100644
--- a/jax/core.py
+++ b/jax/core.py
@@ -1129,10 +1129,10 @@ def check_jaxpr(jaxpr: Jaxpr):
     exception_type = type(e)
     msg_context = f"while checking jaxpr:\n\n{jaxpr}\n"
     if len(e.args) == 0:
-      exception_args = (msg_context,)
+      exception_args = [msg_context]
     else:
       msg = f"{e.args[0]}\n\n" + msg_context
-      exception_args = (msg, *e.args[1:])
+      exception_args = [msg, *e.args[1:]]
     raise exception_type(*exception_args) from e
 
 def _check_jaxpr(jaxpr: Jaxpr):