diff --git a/src/python/espressomd/particle_data.pyx b/src/python/espressomd/particle_data.pyx
index 7fdfd1903d9..7fdfc3db255 100644
--- a/src/python/espressomd/particle_data.pyx
+++ b/src/python/espressomd/particle_data.pyx
@@ -1931,9 +1931,8 @@ Set quat and scalar dipole moment (dipm) instead.")
 
         n = 0
         for p in self:
-            for t in types:
-                if p.type == t or t == "all":
-                    n += 1
+            if types == 'all' or p.type in types:
+                n += 1
 
         with open(fname, "w") as vtk:
             vtk.write("# vtk DataFile Version 2.0\n")
@@ -1942,17 +1941,15 @@ Set quat and scalar dipole moment (dipm) instead.")
             vtk.write("DATASET UNSTRUCTURED_GRID\n")
             vtk.write("POINTS {} floats\n".format(n))
             for p in self:
-                for t in types:
-                    if p.type == t or t == "all":
-                        vtk.write("{} {} {}\n".format(*(p.pos_folded)))
+                if types == 'all' or p.type in types:
+                    vtk.write("{} {} {}\n".format(*(p.pos_folded)))
 
             vtk.write("POINT_DATA {}\n".format(n))
             vtk.write("SCALARS velocity float 3\n")
             vtk.write("LOOKUP_TABLE default\n")
             for p in self:
-                for t in types:
-                    if p.type == t or t == "all":
-                        vtk.write("{} {} {}\n".format(*p.v))
+                if types == 'all' or p.type in types:
+                    vtk.write("{} {} {}\n".format(*p.v))
 
     property highest_particle_id:
         """