diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 069dac02..6995e2ac 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ env:
   matrix:
     - TEST_PACKAGE="pyclaw"
     - TEST_PACKAGE="petclaw"
+    - TEST_PACKAGE="IO"
     - TEST_PACKAGE="forestclaw"
 
 python:
diff --git a/run_tests_on_travis.sh b/run_tests_on_travis.sh
index 6782fa21..6dc3dfa7 100755
--- a/run_tests_on_travis.sh
+++ b/run_tests_on_travis.sh
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ if [ "${TEST_PACKAGE}" == "pyclaw" ]; then
     nosetests --first-pkg-wins --with-doctest --exclude=limiters --exclude=sharpclaw --exclude=fileio --exclude=example --with-coverage --cover-package=clawpack.pyclaw;
     mv .coverage .coverage.doctest;
     # pyclaw examples and I/O tests
-    nosetests -v --first-pkg-wins --exclude=limiters --exclude=sharpclaw --with-coverage --cover-package=clawpack.pyclaw --include=IOTest;
+    #nosetests -v --first-pkg-wins --exclude=limiters --exclude=sharpclaw --with-coverage --cover-package=clawpack.pyclaw --include=IOTest;
     cd ../../examples;
     nosetests -v --with-coverage --cover-package=clawpack.pyclaw;
     mv .coverage ../src/pyclaw/.coverage.examples;
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ if [[ "${TEST_PACKAGE}" == "petclaw" ]]; then
     mpirun -n 4 nosetests -v --first-pkg-wins;
 fi
 
+if [ "${TEST_PACKAGE}" == "IO" ]; then
+    # pyclaw I/O tests
+    nosetests -v --first-pkg-wins --exclude=limiters --exclude=sharpclaw --with-coverage --cover-package=clawpack.pyclaw --include=IOTest;
+    #cd ../src/pyclaw;
+    #coverage combine;
+fi
+
+
 if [[ "${TEST_PACKAGE}" == "forestclaw" ]]; then
     # forestclaw tests (I/O only)
     cd ../forestclaw;
diff --git a/src/pyclaw/classic/solver.py b/src/pyclaw/classic/solver.py
index 3f104e4b..23d408f4 100644
--- a/src/pyclaw/classic/solver.py
+++ b/src/pyclaw/classic/solver.py
@@ -206,6 +206,7 @@ def setup(self,solution):
 
         self._check_cfl_settings()
 
+        assert isinstance(self.num_waves, int), "You must set solver.num_waves before using the solver."
         self._set_mthlim()
         if(self.kernel_language == 'Fortran'):
             if self.fmod is None: