diff --git a/xarray/tests/test_coding_times.py b/xarray/tests/test_coding_times.py
index 9f8ccf2edcf..f0882afe367 100644
--- a/xarray/tests/test_coding_times.py
+++ b/xarray/tests/test_coding_times.py
@@ -823,9 +823,12 @@ def test_encode_cf_datetime_overflow(shape):
     roundtrip = decode_cf_datetime(num, units, calendar)
     np.testing.assert_array_equal(dates, roundtrip)
 
+
+def test_encode_expected_failures():
+
+    dates = pd.date_range("2000", periods=3)
     with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="invalid time units"):
         encode_cf_datetime(dates, units="days after 2000-01-01")
-
     with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="invalid reference date"):
         encode_cf_datetime(dates, units="days since NO_YEAR")