diff --git a/compiler/tests/21_hspice_delay_test.py b/compiler/tests/21_hspice_delay_test.py
index 20372191..5dcd6ff5 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/21_hspice_delay_test.py
+++ b/compiler/tests/21_hspice_delay_test.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class timing_sram_test(unittest.TestCase):
         OPTS.check_lvsdrc = False
         OPTS.spice_name="hspice"
         OPTS.analytical_delay = False
+        self.assertTrue(OPTS.spice_exe)
+        
         # This is a hack to reload the characterizer __init__ with the spice version
         import characterizer
         reload(characterizer)
diff --git a/compiler/tests/21_hspice_setuphold_test.py b/compiler/tests/21_hspice_setuphold_test.py
index 91638e32..4a10c92e 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/21_hspice_setuphold_test.py
+++ b/compiler/tests/21_hspice_setuphold_test.py
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ class timing_setup_test(unittest.TestCase):
         OPTS.check_lvsdrc = False
         OPTS.spice_name="hspice"
         OPTS.analytical_delay = False
+        self.assertTrue(OPTS.spice_exe)
+
+        # This is a hack to reload the characterizer __init__ with the spice version
         import characterizer
         reload(characterizer)
         from characterizer import setup_hold
diff --git a/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_delay_test.py b/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_delay_test.py
index 82a027e3..defa2130 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_delay_test.py
+++ b/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_delay_test.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class timing_sram_test(unittest.TestCase):
         OPTS.check_lvsdrc = False
         OPTS.spice_name="ngspice"
         OPTS.analytical_delay = False
+        self.assertTrue(OPTS.spice_exe)
+
         # This is a hack to reload the characterizer __init__ with the spice version
         import characterizer
         reload(characterizer)
diff --git a/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_setuphold_test.py b/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_setuphold_test.py
index 2a848ffb..4c417190 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_setuphold_test.py
+++ b/compiler/tests/21_ngspice_setuphold_test.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class timing_setup_test(unittest.TestCase):
         OPTS.check_lvsdrc = False
         OPTS.spice_name="ngspice"
         OPTS.analytical_delay = False
+        self.assertTrue(OPTS.spice_exe)
+
         # This is a hack to reload the characterizer __init__ with the spice version
         import characterizer
         reload(characterizer)