diff --git a/src/pynwb/retinotopy.py b/src/pynwb/retinotopy.py
index e5773723b..c0db417d8 100644
--- a/src/pynwb/retinotopy.py
+++ b/src/pynwb/retinotopy.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-raise ValueError(
+raise RuntimeError(
     "The pynwb.retinotopy module is deprecated. If you are interested in using these neurodata types, "
     "please create an issue on https://github.com/NeurodataWithoutBorders/nwb-schema/issues."
 )