diff --git a/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m b/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m
index dec9719f73fa67f517db5735febc062900e58b77..65dd2e5c225f6b35a61611d782881cfef6682cb6 100644
--- a/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m
+++ b/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ switch TCVkeywrdcase{index}
         end
       else
         trace.data=tracetdi.data'; % error in dimensions for autofits
-        if ~isempty(tracetdi.dim)
+        if ~isempty(tracetdi.dim) && ~ischar(tracetdi.data)
           disp('assumes dim{2} for x in THOMSON.PROFILES.AUTO')
           trace.x=tracetdi.dim{2};
           trace.t=tracetdi.dim{1};
@@ -595,6 +595,7 @@ switch TCVkeywrdcase{index}
         else
           trace.x=[];
           trace.t=[];
+         error=2;
         end
       end
     else