diff --git a/utils/python/CIME/case.py b/utils/python/CIME/case.py
index b110a632ba61..377c004bb935 100644
--- a/utils/python/CIME/case.py
+++ b/utils/python/CIME/case.py
@@ -259,7 +259,9 @@ def get_resolved_value(self, item, recurse=0):
             else:
                 item = self.get_resolved_value(item,recurse=recurse+1)
 
-        if(recurse >= recurse_limit):
+        if recurse >= 2*recurse_limit:
+            logging.warning("Not able to fully resolve item '%s'" % item)
+        elif recurse >= recurse_limit:
             #try env_batch first
             env_batch = self.get_env("batch")
             item = env_batch.get_resolved_value(item)