diff --git a/src/reduced_basis/rb_parametrized_function.C b/src/reduced_basis/rb_parametrized_function.C
index 65676bb070f..2585c35bb0c 100644
--- a/src/reduced_basis/rb_parametrized_function.C
+++ b/src/reduced_basis/rb_parametrized_function.C
@@ -474,6 +474,7 @@ void RBParametrizedFunction::preevaluate_parametrized_function_on_mesh(const RBP
           counter++;
         }
     }
+  libmesh_error_msg_if(counter == 0, "Parametrized function on mesh has no values");
 
   std::vector<RBParameters> mus {mu};
   vectorized_evaluate(mus,
@@ -629,6 +630,7 @@ void RBParametrizedFunction::preevaluate_parametrized_function_on_mesh_sides(con
       else
         libmesh_error_msg ("Unrecognized side_type: " << side_type);
     }
+  libmesh_error_msg_if(counter == 0, "Parametrized function on mesh sides has no values");
 
   std::vector<RBParameters> mus {mu};
   side_vectorized_evaluate(mus,
@@ -674,6 +676,7 @@ void RBParametrizedFunction::preevaluate_parametrized_function_on_mesh_nodes(con
 
       counter++;
     }
+  libmesh_error_msg_if(counter == 0, "Parametrized function on mesh nodes has no values");
 
   std::vector<RBParameters> mus {mu};
   node_vectorized_evaluate(mus,