diff --git a/matlab/dyn_ramsey_static.m b/matlab/dyn_ramsey_static.m
index 511f5ed15..964bede38 100644
--- a/matlab/dyn_ramsey_static.m
+++ b/matlab/dyn_ramsey_static.m
@@ -82,7 +82,10 @@ else
     xx = oo.steady_state(1:n_var);
     opt = options_;
     opt.jacobian_flag = 0;
-    [xx,check] = dynare_solve(nl_func,xx,opt);
+    [xx,info1] = dynare_solve(nl_func,xx,opt);
+    if info1~=0
+        check=81;
+    end
     [junk,junk,steady_state] = nl_func(xx);
 end
 
diff --git a/matlab/ramsey_policy.m b/matlab/ramsey_policy.m
index 7f932ab2e..9766a5519 100644
--- a/matlab/ramsey_policy.m
+++ b/matlab/ramsey_policy.m
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ if inst_nbr~=0
     elseif inst_nbr<implied_inst_nbr
         error('You have specified fewer instruments than there are omitted equations')
     end
+else
+    if options_.steadystate_flag
+        error('You have specified a steady state file, but not provided an instrument. Either delete the steady state file or provide an instrument')
+    end
 end
         
 info = stoch_simul(var_list);