diff --git a/Common/util_eddies.py b/Common/util_eddies.py
index adb820009482219967be06d5234c99a53912c1bc..dbb5e336027ef470c855e1c8f96dd96a943d73fc 100644
--- a/Common/util_eddies.py
+++ b/Common/util_eddies.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ class SHPC_class:
         """
 
         if not os.access(SHPC_dir, os.R_OK):
-            sys.exit(f"{SHPC_dir} not readable")
+            print(f"{SHPC_dir} not readable")
+            raise OSError
 
         self.dir = SHPC_dir
         self.def_orient = def_orient