diff --git a/isochrones/starmodel.py b/isochrones/starmodel.py
index 01305cf..45fa62c 100644
--- a/isochrones/starmodel.py
+++ b/isochrones/starmodel.py
@@ -786,6 +786,11 @@ def _make_samples(self):
 
         if not self.use_emcee:
             chain = np.loadtxt('{}post_equal_weights.dat'.format(self._mnest_basename))
+
+            #for purposes of unit test, sometimes there will be 1-length chain...
+            if chain.ndim==1:
+                chain = np.array([chain])
+
             mass = chain[:,0]
             age = chain[:,1]
             feh = chain[:,2]
@@ -1353,6 +1358,11 @@ def _make_samples(self):
 
         if not self.use_emcee:
             chain = np.loadtxt('{}post_equal_weights.dat'.format(self._mnest_basename))
+
+            #for purposes of unit test, sometimes there will be 1-length chain...
+            if chain.ndim==1:
+                chain = np.array([chain])
+
             mass_A = chain[:,0]
             mass_B = chain[:,1]
             age = chain[:,2]
@@ -1698,6 +1708,11 @@ def _make_samples(self):
         
         if not self.use_emcee:
             chain = np.loadtxt('{}post_equal_weights.dat'.format(self._mnest_basename))
+
+            #for purposes of unit test, sometimes there will be 1-length chain...
+            if chain.ndim==1:
+                chain = np.array([chain])
+
             mass_A = chain[:,0]
             mass_B = chain[:,1]
             mass_C = chain[:,2]