diff --git a/matlab/dynare_estimation_init.m b/matlab/dynare_estimation_init.m
index 0a840690a..3166f1f3a 100644
--- a/matlab/dynare_estimation_init.m
+++ b/matlab/dynare_estimation_init.m
@@ -529,9 +529,10 @@ end
 [dataset_, dataset_info, newdatainterfaceflag] = makedataset(options_, options_.dsge_var*options_.dsge_varlag, gsa_flag);
 
 %set options for old interface from the ones for new interface
-options_.nobs = dataset_.nobs;
-options_.first_obs=double(dataset_.init);
-
+if ~isempty(dataset_)
+    options_.nobs = dataset_.nobs;
+    options_.first_obs=double(dataset_.init);
+end
 % setting steadystate_check_flag option
 if options_.diffuse_filter
     steadystate_check_flag = 0;