diff --git a/fiftyone/core/dataset.py b/fiftyone/core/dataset.py
index ebdceb3f0ad..d041bd68a04 100644
--- a/fiftyone/core/dataset.py
+++ b/fiftyone/core/dataset.py
@@ -148,13 +148,12 @@ def load_dataset(name, create_if_missing=False):
     Returns:
         a :class:`Dataset`
     """
-    try:
+    if dataset_exists:
         return Dataset(name, _create=False)
-    except MissingDatasetError as ex:
-        if create_if_missing:
-            return Dataset(name)
-        else:
-            raise ex
+    elif create_if_missing:
+        return Dataset(name)
+    else:
+        raise MissingDatasetError(name)
 
 
 def get_default_dataset_name():