diff --git a/bluemira/structural/element.py b/bluemira/structural/element.py
index d6da562eee..6fa1aab193 100644
--- a/bluemira/structural/element.py
+++ b/bluemira/structural/element.py
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ class LoadType(Enum):
     NODE_LOAD = auto()
 
     @classmethod
-    def _missing_(cls, value):
+    def _missing_(cls, value: str):
         try:
             return cls[value.replace(" ", "_").upper()]
         except KeyError:
             raise StructuralError(
-                f"Invalid load: {value}. Choose from:"
-                f"element_load, distributed_load, node_load"
+                f"{cls.__name__} has no load type {value}"
+                f"please select from {*cls._member_names_, }"
             ) from None
 
 
diff --git a/bluemira/structural/loads.py b/bluemira/structural/loads.py
index 2a4f002478..b25062e405 100644
--- a/bluemira/structural/loads.py
+++ b/bluemira/structural/loads.py
@@ -25,12 +25,13 @@ class SubLoadType(Enum):
     ALL = auto()
 
     @classmethod
-    def _missing_(cls, value):
+    def _missing_(cls, value: str):
         try:
             return cls[value.upper()]
         except KeyError:
             raise StructuralError(
-                f"Unknown SubLoad type {value}. Choose from: force, moment or all"
+                f"{cls.__name__} has no load type {value}"
+                f"please select from {*cls._member_names_, }"
             ) from None