diff --git a/scripts/python/met/dataplane.py b/scripts/python/met/dataplane.py
index a9aed943b6..3da0e8b9e4 100644
--- a/scripts/python/met/dataplane.py
+++ b/scripts/python/met/dataplane.py
@@ -89,10 +89,10 @@ def write_dataplane(met_in, netcdf_filename):
       met_info['attrs'] = attrs
 
       # determine fill value
-      try:
-         fill = met_in.met_data.get_fill_value()
-      except:
-         fill = -9999.
+      #try:
+      #   fill = met_in.met_data.get_fill_value()
+      #except:
+      fill = -9999.
 
       # write NetCDF file
       ds = nc.Dataset(netcdf_filename, 'w')
diff --git a/scripts/python/pyembed/python_embedding.py b/scripts/python/pyembed/python_embedding.py
index 434679b185..5240eb1120 100644
--- a/scripts/python/pyembed/python_embedding.py
+++ b/scripts/python/pyembed/python_embedding.py
@@ -38,9 +38,10 @@ def add_python_path(called_file):   # called_file = __file__
         met_base_dir = os.environ.get('MET_BASE', None)
         if met_base_dir is not None:
             met_python_path = os.path.join(met_base_dir, 'python')
-            if pyembed_tools.debug:
-                print(f"{method_name} added python path {os.path.abspath(met_python_path)} from MET_BASE")
-            sys.path.append(os.path.abspath(met_python_path))
+            if os.path.exists(met_python_path):
+                if pyembed_tools.debug:
+                    print(f"{method_name} added python path {os.path.abspath(met_python_path)} from MET_BASE")
+                sys.path.append(os.path.abspath(met_python_path))
 
         # add share/met/python directory to system path
         met_python_path = os.path.join(script_dir, os.pardir, 'python')
@@ -50,8 +51,6 @@ def add_python_path(called_file):   # called_file = __file__
             if pyembed_tools.debug:
                 print(f"{method_name} added python path {os.path.abspath(met_python_path)}")
             sys.path.append(os.path.abspath(met_python_path))
-        else:
-            print("    - {d} does not exist".format(d=met_python_path))
 
     @staticmethod
     def call_python(argv):
diff --git a/src/libcode/vx_pointdata_python/python_pointdata.cc b/src/libcode/vx_pointdata_python/python_pointdata.cc
index 4b3834a1d2..cef71163a5 100644
--- a/src/libcode/vx_pointdata_python/python_pointdata.cc
+++ b/src/libcode/vx_pointdata_python/python_pointdata.cc
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ bool process_point_data_list(PyObject *python_point_data, MetPointDataPython &me
            << "The header is empty. Please check the python script and input\n\n";
       exit (1);
    }
-   met_pd_out.set_hdr_cnt(hid);
+   met_pd_out.set_hdr_cnt(hid + 1);
 
    check_obs_data(obs_data, use_var_id, method_name);
    check_header_data(header_data, method_name);