diff --git a/python/obi.py b/python/obi.py
index 9c05a1c..f4ca596 100644
--- a/python/obi.py
+++ b/python/obi.py
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ It defines classes_and_methods
 default_config = { 'software'       : "The OBITools",
                    'log'            : False,
                    'loglevel'       : 'INFO',
-                   'progress'       : True
+                   'progress'       : True,
+                   'defaultdms'     : None
                   }
 
 root_config_name='obi'
diff --git a/python/obitools3/files/universalopener.pyx b/python/obitools3/files/universalopener.pyx
index 3aefb92..7c4fdbe 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/files/universalopener.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/files/universalopener.pyx
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ cpdef CompressedFile uopen(str name, mode='r'):
     
     try:
         f = urlopen(name)
-    except ValueError:
+    except:
         f = open(name,mode) 
         
     c = CompressedFile(f)