diff --git a/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver.py b/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver.py
index 3d1e2360411..c3c104d5d86 100644
--- a/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver.py
+++ b/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver.py
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ def value_of(
         Raises:
             RecursionError: If the ParamResolver detects a loop in recursive
                 resolution.
+            sympy.SympifyError: If the resulting value cannot be interpreted.
         """
 
         # Input is a pass through type, no resolution needed: return early
@@ -179,7 +180,12 @@ def value_of(
         if not recursive:
             # Resolves one step at a time. For example:
             # a.subs({a: b, b: c}) == b
+            #
+            # Note that a sympy.SympifyError here likely means
+            # that one of the expressions was not parsable by sympy
+            # (such as a function returning NotImplemented)
             v = value.subs(self.param_dict, simultaneous=True)
+
             if v.free_symbols:
                 return v
             elif sympy.im(v):
diff --git a/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver_test.py b/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver_test.py
index bf06fd20a62..c2e1b8dde4b 100644
--- a/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver_test.py
+++ b/cirq-core/cirq/study/resolver_test.py
@@ -227,25 +227,31 @@ class Foo:
         def _resolved_value_(self):
             return self
 
-    class Bar:
-        def _resolved_value_(self):
-            return NotImplemented
-
     class Baz:
         def _resolved_value_(self):
             return 'Baz'
 
     foo = Foo()
-    bar = Bar()
     baz = Baz()
 
     a = sympy.Symbol('a')
-    b = sympy.Symbol('b')
-    c = sympy.Symbol('c')
-    r = cirq.ParamResolver({a: foo, b: bar, c: baz})
+    b = sympy.Symbol('c')
+    r = cirq.ParamResolver({a: foo, b: baz})
     assert r.value_of(a) is foo
-    assert r.value_of(b) is b
-    assert r.value_of(c) == 'Baz'
+    assert r.value_of(b) == 'Baz'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.xfail(reason='this test requires sympy 1.12', strict=True)
+def test_custom_value_not_implemented():
+    class Bar:
+        def _resolved_value_(self):
+            return NotImplemented
+
+    b = sympy.Symbol('b')
+    bar = Bar()
+    r = cirq.ParamResolver({b: bar})
+    with pytest.raises(sympy.SympifyError):
+        _ = r.value_of(b)
 
 
 def test_compose():