diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/__init__.py
index e78650e1c9..bcc50f53ba 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/init/__init__.py
@@ -130,17 +130,24 @@ def validate(self):
 
         if self.with_inactive_top_cells:
             # construct the work directory for the other test
+            filename1 = 'initial_state/initial_state_crop.nc'
             filename2 = os.path.join(self.base_work_dir, self.mpas_core.name,
                                      self.test_group.name,
                                      self.inactive_top_comp_subdir,
                                      'init/initial_state/initial_state.nc')
-            variables = [
-                'temperature', 'salinity', 'layerThickness', 'normalVelocity']
-            compare_variables(test_case=self, variables=variables,
-                              filename1='initial_state/initial_state_crop.nc',
-                              filename2=filename2, quiet=False,
-                              check_outputs=False,
-                              skip_if_step_not_run=False)
+            if os.path.exists(filename2):
+                variables = [
+                    'temperature', 'salinity', 'layerThickness',
+                    'normalVelocity']
+                compare_variables(test_case=self, variables=variables,
+                                  filename1=filename1, filename2=filename2,
+                                  quiet=False, check_outputs=False,
+                                  skip_if_step_not_run=False)
+
+            else:
+                self.logger.warn('The version of "init" without inactive top '
+                                 'cells was not run.  Skipping\n'
+                                 'validation.')
 
         if self.mesh.with_ice_shelf_cavities:
             variables = ['ssh', 'landIcePressure']
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/performance_test/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/performance_test/__init__.py
index 85f1f14c18..e68c89ca4a 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/performance_test/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/performance_test/__init__.py
@@ -65,19 +65,25 @@ def validate(self):
 
         if self.init.with_inactive_top_cells:
             # construct the work directory for the other test
+            filename1 = 'forward/output_crop.nc'
+
             subdir = get_forward_subdir(self.init.inactive_top_comp_subdir,
                                         self.time_integrator, self.name)
             filename2 = os.path.join(self.base_work_dir, self.mpas_core.name,
                                      self.test_group.name, subdir,
                                      'forward/output.nc')
 
-            variables = ['temperature', 'salinity', 'layerThickness',
-                         'normalVelocity']
-            compare_variables(test_case=self, variables=variables,
-                              filename1='forward/output_crop.nc',
-                              filename2=filename2,
-                              quiet=False, check_outputs=False,
-                              skip_if_step_not_run=False)
+            if os.path.exists(filename2):
+                variables = ['temperature', 'salinity', 'layerThickness',
+                             'normalVelocity']
+                compare_variables(test_case=self, variables=variables,
+                                  filename1=filename1, filename2=filename2,
+                                  quiet=False, check_outputs=False,
+                                  skip_if_step_not_run=False)
+            else:
+                self.logger.warn('The version of "performance_test" without '
+                                 'inactive top cells was not run.\n'
+                                 'Skipping validation.')
 
         if self.mesh.with_ice_shelf_cavities:
             variables = [