diff --git a/ush/interp_atmos_master.sh b/ush/interp_atmos_master.sh
index 4c4ee4b03c1..3a3edc470b1 100755
--- a/ush/interp_atmos_master.sh
+++ b/ush/interp_atmos_master.sh
@@ -53,7 +53,11 @@ export err=$?; err_chk
 # trim and mask for all grids
 for grid in "${grids[@]}"; do
   trim_rh "${output_file_prefix}_${grid}"; export err=$?; err_chk
-  mod_icec "${output_file_prefix}_${grid}"; export err=$?; err_chk
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2312
+  var_count=$(${WGRIB2} "${output_file_prefix}_${grid}" -match "LAND|ICEC" |wc -l)
+  if [[ "${var_count}" -eq 2 ]]; then
+    mod_icec "${output_file_prefix}_${grid}"; export err=$?; err_chk
+  fi
 done
 
 exit 0