diff --git a/pylot/correlation/pick_correlation_correction.py b/pylot/correlation/pick_correlation_correction.py
index 847cfe1c..8719ad75 100644
--- a/pylot/correlation/pick_correlation_correction.py
+++ b/pylot/correlation/pick_correlation_correction.py
@@ -174,12 +174,12 @@ class XCorrPickCorrection:
             msg = f"Trace {tr.id} starts too late. Decrease t_before or cc_maxlag."
             logging.debug(f'start: {start}, t_before: {self.t_before}, cc_maxlag: {self.cc_maxlag},'
                           f'pick: {pick}')
-            raise Exception(msg)
+            raise ValueError(msg)
         if tr.stats.endtime < end:
             msg = f"Trace {tr.id} ends too early. Deacrease t_after or cc_maxlag."
             logging.debug(f'end: {end}, t_after: {self.t_after}, cc_maxlag: {self.cc_maxlag},'
                           f'pick: {pick}')
-            raise Exception(msg)
+            raise ValueError(msg)
 
         # apply signal processing and take correct slice of data
         return tr.slice(start, end)
diff --git a/pylot/tests/test_pick_correlation_correction.py b/pylot/tests/test_pick_correlation_correction.py
index b7289de3..fb9311e5 100644
--- a/pylot/tests/test_pick_correlation_correction.py
+++ b/pylot/tests/test_pick_correlation_correction.py
@@ -49,12 +49,12 @@ class TestXCorrPickCorrection():
         test_trace = self.trace1
         pick_time = self.tpick1
 
-        with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
             xcpc = XCorrPickCorrection(UTCDateTime(), Trace(), UTCDateTime(), Trace(),
-                                       t_before=self.t_before - 20, t_after=self.t_after, cc_maxlag=self.cc_maxlag)
+                                       t_before=self.t_before + 20, t_after=self.t_after, cc_maxlag=self.cc_maxlag)
             xcpc.slice_trace(test_trace, pick_time)
 
-        with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
             xcpc = XCorrPickCorrection(UTCDateTime(), Trace(), UTCDateTime(), Trace(),
                                        t_before=self.t_before, t_after=self.t_after + 50, cc_maxlag=self.cc_maxlag)
             xcpc.slice_trace(test_trace, pick_time)