diff --git a/src/eva/data/mon_data_space.py b/src/eva/data/mon_data_space.py
index f4ed722..567ec1b 100644
--- a/src/eva/data/mon_data_space.py
+++ b/src/eva/data/mon_data_space.py
@@ -799,6 +799,10 @@ def read_stn_ieee(self, file_name, coords, dims, ndims_used, dims_arr,
             dims['ydef'] = numobs
             f.close()
 
+        else:
+            rtn_array = np.zeros((len(vars),1,1), float)
+            dims['ydef'] = 1
+
         rtn_lat = np.asarray(lat).reshape(-1)
         rtn_lon = np.asarray(lon).reshape(-1)