diff --git a/compiler/characterizer/__init__.py b/compiler/characterizer/__init__.py
index 4a2f161e..19da7d59 100644
--- a/compiler/characterizer/__init__.py
+++ b/compiler/characterizer/__init__.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ if not OPTS.analytical_delay:
         if OPTS.spice_exe=="" or OPTS.spice_exe==None:
             debug.error("{0} not found. Unable to perform characterization.".format(OPTS.spice_name),1)
     else:
-        (OPTS.spice_name,OPTS.spice_exe) = get_tool("spice",["xa", "hspice", "ngspice", "ngspice.exe"])
+        (OPTS.spice_name,OPTS.spice_exe) = get_tool("spice",["hspice", "ngspice", "ngspice.exe", "xa"])
 
     # set the input dir for spice files if using ngspice 
     if OPTS.spice_name == "ngspice":