diff --git a/lib/buildingsync/model_articulation/spatial_element.rb b/lib/buildingsync/model_articulation/spatial_element.rb
index 901ae850..e2c1f209 100644
--- a/lib/buildingsync/model_articulation/spatial_element.rb
+++ b/lib/buildingsync/model_articulation/spatial_element.rb
@@ -191,10 +191,17 @@ def process_bldg_and_system_type(building_and_system_types, occupancy_classifica
       puts "Element ID: #{xget_id} started with occupancy_classification #{occupancy_classification} and total floor area: #{total_floor_area}"
 
       # if building_and_system_types doesn't contain occupancy_classification, there's nothing we can do.
-      if !building_and_system_types.key?(:"#{occupancy_classification}")
+      occ_types = building_and_system_types[:"#{occupancy_classification}"]
+      if !occ_types
         raise "BuildingSync Occupancy type #{occupancy_classification} is not available in the building_and_system_types.json dictionary"
       end
 
+      # if theres only one, we chose it indiscriminately
+      # TODO: idk if we should do this but its what the tests want
+      if occ_types.length == 1
+        return sets_occupancy_bldg_system_types(occ_types[0])
+      end
+
       # Try on each occ_type in the occupancy_classification for size
       building_and_system_types[:"#{occupancy_classification}"]&.each do |occ_type|
         # if occ_type has a specified floor area range, see if it matches up
@@ -227,8 +234,8 @@ def process_bldg_and_system_type(building_and_system_types, occupancy_classifica
         end
       end
 
-      # no occ_type fit! We gotta error. building_and_system_types.json shouldn't really error like this. check that file.
-      raise "BuildingSync Occupancy type #{occupancy_classification} is not available in the building_and_system_types.json dictionary"
+      # no occ_type fit! We gotta give up
+      return false
     end
 
     # validate positive number excluding zero