diff --git a/contrib/python/nwgeom.py b/contrib/python/nwgeom.py
index 8f000c388a..469e69cd01 100644
--- a/contrib/python/nwgeom.py
+++ b/contrib/python/nwgeom.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ def geom_get_coords(name):
   #
   try:
     actualname = rtdb_get(name)
+    if (actualname == None):
+      actualname = name
   except NWChemError:
     actualname = name
   coords = rtdb_get('geometry:' + str(actualname) + ':coords')