diff --git a/src/py4vasp/_data/workfunction.py b/src/py4vasp/_data/workfunction.py
index 326587ae..1c903d61 100644
--- a/src/py4vasp/_data/workfunction.py
+++ b/src/py4vasp/_data/workfunction.py
@@ -62,9 +62,7 @@ def to_graph(self):
             two lattice vectors is on the y axis.
         """
         data = self.to_dict()
-        series = graph.Series(
-            data["distance"], data["average_potential"], data["direction"]
-        )
+        series = graph.Series(data["distance"], data["average_potential"], "potential")
         return graph.Graph(
-            series=series, xlabel="distance (Å)", ylabel="average potential (eV)"
+            series=series, xlabel=f"distance along {data['direction']} (Å)", ylabel="average potential (eV)"
         )
diff --git a/tests/data/test_workfunction.py b/tests/data/test_workfunction.py
index fcbcc6bf..fdc9f23c 100644
--- a/tests/data/test_workfunction.py
+++ b/tests/data/test_workfunction.py
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ def test_read(workfunction, Assert):
 
 def test_plot(workfunction, Assert):
     graph = workfunction.plot()
-    assert graph.xlabel == "distance (Å)"
+    assert graph.xlabel == f"distance along {workfunction.ref.lattice_vector} (Å)"
     assert graph.ylabel == "average potential (eV)"
     Assert.allclose(graph.series.x, workfunction.ref.distance)
     Assert.allclose(graph.series.y, workfunction.ref.average_potential)
-    assert graph.series.name == workfunction.ref.lattice_vector
+    assert graph.series.name == "potential"
 
 
 @patch("py4vasp._data.workfunction.Workfunction.to_graph")