diff --git a/xarray/core/datatree.py b/xarray/core/datatree.py
index 98934f29b92..c5087dc1634 100644
--- a/xarray/core/datatree.py
+++ b/xarray/core/datatree.py
@@ -140,7 +140,9 @@ def _to_new_dataset(data: Dataset | Coordinates | None) -> Dataset:
     elif data is None:
         ds = Dataset()
     else:
-        raise TypeError(f"data object is not an xarray.Dataset, dict, or None: {data}")
+        raise TypeError(
+            f"data object is not an xarray.Dataset, xarray.Coordinates, or None: {data}"
+        )
     return ds
 
 
diff --git a/xarray/tests/test_datatree.py b/xarray/tests/test_datatree.py
index 19133bfd88d..5a3fb55eb48 100644
--- a/xarray/tests/test_datatree.py
+++ b/xarray/tests/test_datatree.py
@@ -69,6 +69,11 @@ def test_data_arg(self) -> None:
         with pytest.raises(TypeError):
             DataTree(dataset=xr.DataArray(42, name="foo"))  # type: ignore[arg-type]
 
+        # A dict is not an accepted data object; the error message must not
+        # advertise ``dict`` as a valid type (regression test for #11514).
+        with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=r"xarray\.Coordinates"):
+            DataTree(dataset=dict())  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+
     def test_child_data_not_copied(self) -> None:
         # regression test for https://github.com/pydata/xarray/issues/9683
         class NoDeepCopy: