diff --git a/test/functional/wallet_upgradewallet.py b/test/functional/wallet_upgradewallet.py
index 2ada36b023fe09..5b2f79fc473165 100755
--- a/test/functional/wallet_upgradewallet.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet_upgradewallet.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
     assert_equal,
     assert_greater_than_or_equal,
     assert_is_hex_string,
+    assert_raises_rpc_error,
 )
 
 
@@ -126,7 +127,8 @@ def run_test(self):
         assert_equal('hdseedid' in wallet.getwalletinfo(), False)
         # calling upgradewallet with explicit version number
         # should return nothing if successful
-        assert_equal(wallet.upgradewallet(120200), False)
+        assert_raises_rpc_error(-4, "You should use upgradetohd RPC to upgrade non-HD wallet to HD", wallet.upgradewallet, 120200)
+
         assert 'hdchainid' not in wallet.getwalletinfo()
 
         assert_equal(wallet.upgradetohd(), True)