diff --git a/matlab/dynare.m b/matlab/dynare.m
index 8cd08ebf0..bba0cb894 100644
--- a/matlab/dynare.m
+++ b/matlab/dynare.m
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ function dynare(fname, varargin)
 % part of DYNARE, copyright Dynare Team (2001-2008)
 % Gnu Public License.
 dynareroot = dynare_config();
-if ~isstr(fname)
+if ~ischar(fname)
   error ('The argument in DYNARE must be a text string.') ;
 end
 % Testing if file have extension
diff --git a/matlab/erase_compiled_function.m b/matlab/erase_compiled_function.m
index 6f8d765ba..f64a260a4 100644
--- a/matlab/erase_compiled_function.m
+++ b/matlab/erase_compiled_function.m
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-function erased_compiled_function(func)
+function erase_compiled_function(func)
   % erase compiled function with name 'func'
 
     if exist([func '.dll'])