diff --git a/compiler/characterizer/stimuli.py b/compiler/characterizer/stimuli.py
index 0c6fd7d8..7986f11e 100644
--- a/compiler/characterizer/stimuli.py
+++ b/compiler/characterizer/stimuli.py
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ def write_include(stim_file, models):
         if os.path.isfile(item):
             stim_file.write(".include \"{0}\"\n\n".format(item))
         else:
-            debug.error("Could not find spice model: {0}".format(item))
+            debug.error("Could not find spice model: {0}\nSet SPICE_MODEL_DIR to over-ride path.\n".format(item))
 
 
 def write_supply(stim_file):
diff --git a/technology/setup_scripts/setup_openram_freepdk45.py b/technology/setup_scripts/setup_openram_freepdk45.py
index 7b40357e..93631a92 100644
--- a/technology/setup_scripts/setup_openram_freepdk45.py
+++ b/technology/setup_scripts/setup_openram_freepdk45.py
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ except:
     DRCLVS_HOME= PDK_DIR+"/ncsu_basekit/techfile/calibre"
 os.environ["DRCLVS_HOME"] = DRCLVS_HOME
 
-# try:
-#     SPICE_MODEL_DIR = os.path.abspath(os.environ.get("SPICE_MODEL_DIR"))
-# except:
-os.environ["SPICE_MODEL_DIR"] = PDK_DIR+"/ncsu_basekit/models/hspice/tran_models/models_nom"
+try:
+     SPICE_MODEL_DIR = os.path.abspath(os.environ.get("SPICE_MODEL_DIR"))
+except:
+    os.environ["SPICE_MODEL_DIR"] = PDK_DIR+"/ncsu_basekit/models/hspice/tran_models/models_nom"
 
 ##########################
 #Paths required for OPENRAM to function