diff --git a/models/wrf/model_mod.f90 b/models/wrf/model_mod.f90
index d8a5211528..8fc1592ca9 100644
--- a/models/wrf/model_mod.f90
+++ b/models/wrf/model_mod.f90
@@ -6403,6 +6403,13 @@ subroutine get_close(gc, base_loc, base_type, locs, loc_qtys, &
       local_loc   = locs(t_ind)
       local_which = nint(query_location(local_loc))
 
+      if (present(dist)) then
+         if (local_which == VERTISUNDEF) then
+            dist(k) = get_dist(base_loc, local_loc, base_type, loc_qtys(t_ind))
+            cycle
+         endif
+      endif
+
       ! Convert local vertical coordinate to requested vertical coordinate if necessary.
       ! This should only be necessary for obs priors, as state location information already
       ! contains the correct vertical coordinate (filter_assim's call to get_state_meta_data).