diff --git a/dyn_em/module_initialize_real.F b/dyn_em/module_initialize_real.F
index ef392570a0..073a6f35d6 100644
--- a/dyn_em/module_initialize_real.F
+++ b/dyn_em/module_initialize_real.F
@@ -665,6 +665,19 @@ SUBROUTINE init_domain_rk ( grid &
          !  coarse grid since we are going to make the interface consistent
          !  in the model betwixt the CG and FG domains.
 
+         !  An important point is to inform the user if their request cannot
+         !  be satisfied. Do not skip over this quietly.
+
+         IF ( ( config_flags%smooth_cg_topo ) .AND. &
+              ( internal_time_loop .EQ. 1 ) .AND. &
+              ( grid%id .EQ. 1 ) .AND. &
+              ( flag_soilhgt .NE. 1) ) THEN
+            CALL wrf_message    (' --- ERROR: NML option smooth_cg_topo=T')
+            CALL wrf_message    ('            But found no soil elevation / terrain / topography data in metgrid files')
+            CALL wrf_message    ('            The field SOILHGT is required when smoothing the CG topography on d01')
+            CALL wrf_error_fatal('            If using ERA5 data, possibly need to add more time invariant fields')
+         END IF
+
          IF ( ( config_flags%smooth_cg_topo ) .AND. &
               ( internal_time_loop .EQ. 1 ) .AND. &
               ( grid%id .EQ. 1 ) .AND. &