diff --git a/nomenclature/config.py b/nomenclature/config.py
index dabb080e..487101bd 100644
--- a/nomenclature/config.py
+++ b/nomenclature/config.py
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ class NomenclatureConfig(BaseModel):
     definitions: DataStructureConfig = Field(default_factory=DataStructureConfig)
     mappings: RegionMappingConfig = Field(default_factory=RegionMappingConfig)
 
+    model_config = ConfigDict(use_enum_values=True)
+
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     @classmethod
     def check_definitions_repository(
diff --git a/tests/data/general-config/nomenclature.yaml b/tests/data/general-config/nomenclature.yaml
index 1c7e59e9..644e304d 100644
--- a/tests/data/general-config/nomenclature.yaml
+++ b/tests/data/general-config/nomenclature.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+dimensions: [region, variable]
 repositories:
   common-definitions:
     url: https://github.com/IAMconsortium/common-definitions.git/