diff --git a/scripts/operations/package_tables.sh b/scripts/operations/package_tables.sh
index 3280f5c..e6b3ade 100755
--- a/scripts/operations/package_tables.sh
+++ b/scripts/operations/package_tables.sh
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ else
 fi
 
 cd $griddir
+
+if [[ -not -e "mpi_grid.out" ]]; then
+    echo "no mpi_grid.out file"
+    exit 6
+fi
+
 mkdir -p fortfiles
 cd fortfiles
 # pwd
@@ -100,4 +106,4 @@ tar cf fortfiles_${grid_id}.tar *
 gzip fortfiles_${grid_id}.tar
 mv fortfiles_${grid_id}.tar.gz $base_dir
 
-cd $base_dir
\ No newline at end of file
+cd $base_dir