diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/pattern.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/pattern.py
index 64fc9187f9a..6c783c6a5f7 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/pattern.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/pattern.py
@@ -90,12 +90,15 @@ class CompositeFromInterface:
 
     def test_error_conditions(self):
 
-        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+        def wrong_container():
             @pattern.composite(interface=self.Base, container=2)
             class CompositeFromInterface:
                 pass
 
-        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+        def no_methods():
             @pattern.composite()
             class CompositeFromInterface:
                 pass
+
+        self.assertRaises(TypeError, wrong_container)
+        self.assertRaises(TypeError, no_methods)