diff --git a/Exec/science/flame_wave/initial_model.H b/Exec/science/flame_wave/initial_model.H
index 7deae43d94..27d7f2b5ca 100644
--- a/Exec/science/flame_wave/initial_model.H
+++ b/Exec/science/flame_wave/initial_model.H
@@ -236,6 +236,9 @@ generate_initial_model(const int npts_model, const Real xmin, const Real xmax,
     for (int i = index_base+1; i < npts_model; i++) {
 
        if ((model::profile(model_num).r(i) > xmin + model_params.H_star + 3.0_rt * model_params.atm_delta) && !flipped) {
+           if (i == index_base + 1) {
+               amrex::Error("atm_delta is too small for the grid spacing (at least one transition zone is required)");
+           }
            isentropic = true;
            flipped = true;