diff --git a/src/SURFEX/read_nam_prep_surfn.F90 b/src/SURFEX/read_nam_prep_surfn.F90
index ae6c33f039c3b5b309ac0d8c3b956099e5808e52..2e10541bc42e88e797b98a89170b33201a8227fe 100644
--- a/src/SURFEX/read_nam_prep_surfn.F90
+++ b/src/SURFEX/read_nam_prep_surfn.F90
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 !!    -------------
 !!    MODIFICATIONS
 !!    -------------
-!!                       04/2016   add ABORT if CINIFILEPGD is not specified (G.Delautier)
 !     #########
 SUBROUTINE READ_NAM_PREP_SURF_n(HPROGRAM)
 !     #######################################################
@@ -19,7 +18,6 @@ USE MODI_TEST_NAM_VAR_SURF
 USE MODI_GET_LUOUT
 USE MODI_OPEN_NAMELIST
 USE MODI_CLOSE_NAMELIST
-USE MODI_ABOR1_SFX
 USE MODE_POS_SURF
 !
 !
@@ -57,9 +55,6 @@ IF (GFOUND) READ(UNIT=ILUNAM,NML=NAM_PREP_SURF_ATM)
 !
  CALL TEST_NAM_VAR_SURF(ILUOUT,'CFILETYPE',   CFILETYPE,   '      ','GRIB  ','MESONH','ASCII ','LFI   ')
  CALL TEST_NAM_VAR_SURF(ILUOUT,'CFILEPGDTYPE',   CFILEPGDTYPE,   '      ','GRIB  ','MESONH','ASCII ','LFI   ')
- IF (LEN_TRIM(CFILEPGD)==0) THEN
-   CALL ABOR1_SFX('Namelist NAM_PREP_SURF_ATM : you need to specify CFILEPGD ')   
- ENDIF
 IF (LHOOK) CALL DR_HOOK('READ_NAM_PREP_SURF_N',1,ZHOOK_HANDLE)
 !
 END SUBROUTINE READ_NAM_PREP_SURF_n