diff --git a/ssc/cmod_fresnel_physical_iph.cpp b/ssc/cmod_fresnel_physical_iph.cpp
index 1e3364f12..dacf31b90 100644
--- a/ssc/cmod_fresnel_physical_iph.cpp
+++ b/ssc/cmod_fresnel_physical_iph.cpp
@@ -922,7 +922,7 @@ class cm_fresnel_physical_iph : public compute_module
 
         // Heat Sink
         int hs_type = as_integer("hs_type");
-        C_csp_power_cycle* c_heat_sink_pointer;
+        C_csp_power_cycle* c_heat_sink_pointer = nullptr;
         C_pc_heat_sink c_heat_sink;
         
         // Ideal heat sink
@@ -963,6 +963,11 @@ class cm_fresnel_physical_iph : public compute_module
             throw exec_error("fresnel_physical_iph", "hs_type != 0; other heat sink models are not currently supported");
         }
 
+        if (c_heat_sink_pointer == nullptr)
+        {
+            throw exec_error("fresnel_physical_iph", "Heat sink pointer not assigned");
+        }
+
         // Electricity pricing schedule
         int csp_financial_model = as_integer("csp_financial_model");
         C_timeseries_schedule_inputs elec_pricing_schedule;
diff --git a/ssc/cmod_mspt_iph.cpp b/ssc/cmod_mspt_iph.cpp
index 1bd84c8d3..c6fef576f 100644
--- a/ssc/cmod_mspt_iph.cpp
+++ b/ssc/cmod_mspt_iph.cpp
@@ -1219,7 +1219,7 @@ class cm_mspt_iph : public compute_module
         // ***********************************************
 
         int hs_type = as_integer("hs_type");
-        C_csp_power_cycle* c_heat_sink_pointer;
+        C_csp_power_cycle* c_heat_sink_pointer = nullptr;
         C_pc_heat_sink c_heat_sink;
 
         size_t n_f_turbine1 = 0;
@@ -1256,7 +1256,10 @@ class cm_mspt_iph : public compute_module
         {
             throw exec_error("mspt_iph", "hs_type != 0; other heat sink models are not currently supported");
         }
-        
+        if (c_heat_sink_pointer == nullptr)
+        {
+            throw exec_error("mspt_iph", "Heat sink pointer not assigned");
+        }
 
         //// *********************************************************
         //// *********************************************************
diff --git a/ssc/cmod_trough_physical_iph.cpp b/ssc/cmod_trough_physical_iph.cpp
index 3dedba31f..63ec126ff 100644
--- a/ssc/cmod_trough_physical_iph.cpp
+++ b/ssc/cmod_trough_physical_iph.cpp
@@ -1502,7 +1502,7 @@ class cm_trough_physical_iph : public compute_module
 
         // Heat Sink
         int hs_type = as_integer("hs_type");
-        C_csp_power_cycle* c_heat_sink_pointer;
+        C_csp_power_cycle* c_heat_sink_pointer = nullptr;
         C_pc_heat_sink c_heat_sink;
 
             // Ideal heat sink
@@ -1544,6 +1544,11 @@ class cm_trough_physical_iph : public compute_module
             throw exec_error("trough_physical_iph", "hs_type != 0; other heat sink models are not currently supported");
         }
 
+        if (c_heat_sink_pointer == nullptr)
+        {
+            throw exec_error("trough_physical_iph", "Heat sink pointer not assigned");
+        }
+
         // Electricity pricing schedule
         C_timeseries_schedule_inputs elec_pricing_schedule;