diff --git a/histmem.c b/histmem.c
index f1888e00..50552672 100644
--- a/histmem.c
+++ b/histmem.c
@@ -1497,7 +1497,6 @@ static int checkHMEnd(pHistMem self, char *text){
             SCWrite(pCon,pBueffel,eError);
             return 0;
           }
-          /* do it */
           if(iNum >= MAXCHAN)
           {
             SCWrite(pCon,
@@ -1505,6 +1504,11 @@ static int checkHMEnd(pHistMem self, char *text){
                     eError);
             return 0;        
           }
+	  if(iNum <= 0){
+	    SCWrite(pCon,"ERROR: at least one time bin required!",eError);
+	    return 0;
+	  }
+          /* do it */
 	  genTimeBinning(self->pDriv->data,
 			 (float)dStart,(float)dStep,iNum);
           SCparChange(pCon);