diff --git a/nomenclature/definition.py b/nomenclature/definition.py
index f72fa597..8a93d1ea 100644
--- a/nomenclature/definition.py
+++ b/nomenclature/definition.py
@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@ def __init__(self, path, dimensions=None):
             self.repo = None
 
         if not path.is_dir() and not (
-            self.config.repositories or self.config.definitions.region.country
+            self.config.repositories
+            or self.config.definitions.region.country
+            or self.config.definitions.region.nuts
         ):
             raise NotADirectoryError(f"Definitions directory not found: {path}")