diff --git a/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m b/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m
index a4226f8949da2805580c010f9ee3391b3ba76270..dec9719f73fa67f517db5735febc062900e58b77 100644
--- a/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m
+++ b/crpptbx/TCV/loadTCVdata.m
@@ -558,6 +558,7 @@ switch TCVkeywrdcase{index}
   case {'profnerho','profterho'}
     % vol from psitbx
     mdsopen(shot);
+    error=1;
     if strcmp(TCVkeywrdcase{index},'profnerho')
       nodenameeff=['\results::THOMSON.PROFILES.AUTO:ne'];
       avers=tdi('\results::THOMSON.PROFILES.AUTO:ne:version_num');
@@ -578,6 +579,7 @@ switch TCVkeywrdcase{index}
         if ~isempty(tracetdi.dim) && ~ischar(tracetdi.data)
           trace.x=tracetdi.dim{1};
           trace.t=tracetdi.dim{2};
+          error=0;
         else
          error=2;
           trace.x=[];
@@ -589,8 +591,8 @@ switch TCVkeywrdcase{index}
           disp('assumes dim{2} for x in THOMSON.PROFILES.AUTO')
           trace.x=tracetdi.dim{2};
           trace.t=tracetdi.dim{1};
+          error=0;
         else
-          error=1;
           trace.x=[];
           trace.t=[];
         end