diff --git a/arango/collection.py b/arango/collection.py
index 0f43f397..c62840a9 100644
--- a/arango/collection.py
+++ b/arango/collection.py
@@ -400,6 +400,8 @@ def configure(
         if sync is not None:
             data["waitForSync"] = sync
         if schema is not None:
+            if not isinstance(schema, dict) or len(schema) == 0:
+                raise ValueError("schema parameter must be a non-empty dict")
             data["schema"] = schema
         if replication_factor is not None:
             data["replicationFactor"] = replication_factor
diff --git a/arango/database.py b/arango/database.py
index 48a032d7..2ba1129b 100644
--- a/arango/database.py
+++ b/arango/database.py
@@ -1668,6 +1668,7 @@ def create_collection(
         :return: Standard collection API wrapper.
         :rtype: arango.collection.StandardCollection
         :raise arango.exceptions.CollectionCreateError: If create fails.
+        :raise ValueError: If parameters are invalid.
         """
         key_options: Json = {"type": key_generator, "allowUserKeys": user_keys}
         if key_generator == "autoincrement":
@@ -1698,6 +1699,8 @@ def create_collection(
         if write_concern is not None:
             data["writeConcern"] = write_concern
         if schema is not None:
+            if not isinstance(schema, dict) or len(schema) == 0:
+                raise ValueError("schema parameter must be a non-empty dict")
             data["schema"] = schema
         if computedValues is not None:
             data["computedValues"] = computedValues
diff --git a/arango/formatter.py b/arango/formatter.py
index ebbb070c..eeb50e77 100644
--- a/arango/formatter.py
+++ b/arango/formatter.py
@@ -1112,7 +1112,7 @@ def format_backup_dbserver(body: Json) -> Json:
     :return: Formatted body.
     :rtype: dict
     """
-    return {"status": body["Status"]}
+    return {"status": body.get("Status")}
 
 
 def format_backup_transfer(body: Json) -> Json:
diff --git a/arango/version.py b/arango/version.py
index a0c45555..ec400e65 100644
--- a/arango/version.py
+++ b/arango/version.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = "8.2.6"
+__version__ = "8.3.0"
diff --git a/docs/schema.rst b/docs/schema.rst
index e56943e5..fdfeccfc 100644
--- a/docs/schema.rst
+++ b/docs/schema.rst
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Schema Validation
 
 ArangoDB supports document validation using JSON schemas. You can use this
 feature by providing a schema during collection creation using the ``schema``
-parameter.
+parameter. It must not be an empty ``dict```.
 
 **Example:**
 
@@ -37,6 +37,3 @@ parameter.
 
     # Modify the schema.
     employees.configure(schema=my_schema)
-
-    # Remove the schema.
-    employees.configure(schema={})
diff --git a/tests/test_backup.py b/tests/test_backup.py
index 9b157024..1fea7ecd 100644
--- a/tests/test_backup.py
+++ b/tests/test_backup.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import time
+
 import pytest
 from packaging import version
 
@@ -110,6 +112,9 @@ def test_backup_management(sys_db, bad_db, cluster, skip_tests, db_version):
     result = sys_db.backup.restore(backup_id_foo)
     assert isinstance(result, dict)
 
+    # Wait for restore to complete
+    time.sleep(10)
+
     # Test restore backup with bad database.
     with assert_raises(BackupRestoreError) as err:
         bad_db.backup.restore(backup_id_foo)
diff --git a/tests/test_collection.py b/tests/test_collection.py
index c1b2c2f0..0f0f2d3a 100644
--- a/tests/test_collection.py
+++ b/tests/test_collection.py
@@ -60,9 +60,13 @@ def test_collection_misc_methods(col, bad_col, cluster):
         }
     ]
 
-    properties = col.configure(
-        sync=not prev_sync, schema={}, computed_values=computed_values
-    )
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        # schema must not be empty
+        properties = col.configure(
+            sync=not prev_sync, schema={}, computed_values=computed_values
+        )
+
+    properties = col.configure(sync=not prev_sync, computed_values=computed_values)
 
     assert properties["name"] == col.name
     assert properties["system"] is False
@@ -202,6 +206,10 @@ def test_collection_management(db, bad_db, cluster):
 
     col_name = generate_col_name()
 
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        # schema must not be empty
+        db.create_collection(name=col_name, schema={})
+
     col = db.create_collection(
         name=col_name,
         sync=True,