diff --git a/models/utilities/default_model_mod.f90 b/models/utilities/default_model_mod.f90
index e45f8b351..3098c750c 100644
--- a/models/utilities/default_model_mod.f90
+++ b/models/utilities/default_model_mod.f90
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ function parse_variables_clamp(vars_table) result(state_vars)
    ! Make sure DART qty is valid
    state_vars%qtys(i) = get_index_for_quantity(dart_qty_str)
    if( state_vars%qtys(i) < 0 ) then
-      write(string1,*) 'The quantity specified in the &model_nml "', dart_qty_str, '", is not present in obs_kind_mod.f90'
+      write(string1,*) 'The quantity specified in the &model_nml "', trim(dart_qty_str), '", is not present in obs_kind_mod.f90'
       call error_handler(E_ERR,'get_state_variables_clamp',string1)
    endif