diff --git a/sqlmodel/main.py b/sqlmodel/main.py
index 7c916f79af..20d8c0b8cb 100644
--- a/sqlmodel/main.py
+++ b/sqlmodel/main.py
@@ -997,6 +997,10 @@ def sqlmodel_update(
             for key, value in {**obj, **use_update}.items():
                 if key in get_model_fields(self):
                     setattr(self, key, value)
+                else:
+                    raise AttributeError(
+                        f"'{type(self).__name__}' has no field '{key}'"
+                    )
         elif isinstance(obj, BaseModel):
             for key in get_model_fields(obj):
                 if key in use_update: