diff --git a/pyart/aux_io/arm_vpt.py b/pyart/aux_io/arm_vpt.py
index 0df3a38f86..94ee51c77b 100644
--- a/pyart/aux_io/arm_vpt.py
+++ b/pyart/aux_io/arm_vpt.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def read_kazr(
     sweep_number["data"] = np.array([0], dtype=np.int32)
 
     sweep_mode = filemetadata("sweep_mode")
-    sweep_mode["data"] = np.array(["vertical_pointing"], dtype=np.str)
+    sweep_mode["data"] = np.array(["vertical_pointing"], dtype=str)
 
     fixed_angle = filemetadata("fixed_angle")
     fixed_angle["data"] = np.array([90.0], dtype=np.float32)
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ def read_kazr(
     frequency["data"] = np.array([omega / 1e9], dtype=np.float32)
 
     prt_mode = filemetadata("prt_mode")
-    prt_mode["data"] = np.array(["fixed"], dtype=np.str)
+    prt_mode["data"] = np.array(["fixed"], dtype=str)
 
     prf = float(ncobj.pulse_repetition_frequency.split()[0])
     prt = filemetadata("prt")