diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index dc2c0c7f3..3e8ce2f1e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -41,3 +41,4 @@ doc/USER_MANUAL/Schedule
 .*swo
 .*swn
 *~
+*.pyc
diff --git a/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/absorbing_boundary.py b/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/absorbing_boundary.py
index c65663d6b..d8b913110 100644
--- a/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/absorbing_boundary.py
+++ b/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/absorbing_boundary.py
@@ -119,6 +119,16 @@ def define_parallel_absorbing_surf():
             if dz <= topographic_surface_distance_tolerance and dn < topographic_surface_normal_tolerance:
                 top_surf.append(k)
 
+    # checking list sizes before return
+    len_return_items = [len(liste) for liste in \
+                absorbing_surf_xmin,absorbing_surf_xmax,absorbing_surf_ymin,absorbing_surf_ymax,\
+                absorbing_surf_bottom,top_surf]
+    if (0 in len_return_items ): 
+        print ('WARNING::define_parallel_absorbing_surf:: empty return list(s). try increasing tolerance!')
+        import sys
+        sys.exit()
+    ##    
+
     return absorbing_surf_xmin,absorbing_surf_xmax,absorbing_surf_ymin,absorbing_surf_ymax,absorbing_surf_bottom,top_surf
 
 def define_top_bottom_absorbing_surf(zmin_box,zmax_box):
diff --git a/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/save_fault_nodes_elements.py b/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/save_fault_nodes_elements.py
index 83d63adb8..bf799a00c 100755
--- a/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/save_fault_nodes_elements.py
+++ b/CUBIT_GEOCUBIT/geocubitlib/save_fault_nodes_elements.py
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ def __init__(self,id,surface_u,surface_d):
         print('len(Ad):',len(quads_Ad))
 
         if not (len(quads_Au) == len(quads_Ad)):
-            print('Number of elements for each fauld side up and down do not concide')
+            print('Number of elements for up and down fault sides does not coincide!')
+            import sys
             sys.exit('goodbye')
 
         save_elements_nodes(self.name,quads_Au,quads_Ad)