diff --git a/metplus/wrappers/command_builder.py b/metplus/wrappers/command_builder.py
index 4e05afd56e..8659305d86 100755
--- a/metplus/wrappers/command_builder.py
+++ b/metplus/wrappers/command_builder.py
@@ -826,7 +826,8 @@ def find_file_in_window(self, level, data_type, time_info, mandatory=True,
 
         return out
 
-    def find_input_files_ensemble(self, time_info, fill_missing=True):
+    def find_input_files_ensemble(self, time_info, fill_missing=True,
+                                  var_info=None):
         """! Get a list of all input files and optional control file.
         Warn and remove control file if found in ensemble list. Ensure that
         if defined, the number of ensemble members (N_MEMBERS) corresponds to
@@ -836,12 +837,15 @@ def find_input_files_ensemble(self, time_info, fill_missing=True):
             @param fill_missing If True, fill list of files with MISSING so
             that number of files matches number of expected members. Defaults
             to True.
+            @param var_info optional dictionary with field information used to
+             set level
             @returns True on success
         """
 
         # get control file if requested
         if self.c_dict.get('CTRL_INPUT_TEMPLATE'):
-            ctrl_file = self.find_data(time_info, data_type='CTRL')
+            ctrl_file = self.find_data(time_info, data_type='CTRL',
+                                       var_info=var_info)
 
             # return if requested control file was not found
             if not ctrl_file:
@@ -863,7 +867,8 @@ def find_input_files_ensemble(self, time_info, fill_missing=True):
             return True
 
         # get list of ensemble files to process
-        input_files = self.find_model(time_info, return_list=True)
+        input_files = self.find_model(time_info, return_list=True,
+                                      var_info=var_info)
         if not input_files:
             self.log_error("Could not find any input files")
             return False
diff --git a/metplus/wrappers/ensemble_stat_wrapper.py b/metplus/wrappers/ensemble_stat_wrapper.py
index 8eee180644..92003071dd 100755
--- a/metplus/wrappers/ensemble_stat_wrapper.py
+++ b/metplus/wrappers/ensemble_stat_wrapper.py
@@ -415,27 +415,27 @@ def run_at_time_all_fields(self, time_info):
               Args:
                 @param time_info dictionary containing timing information
         """
+        # parse optional var list for FCST and/or OBS fields
+        var_list = util.sub_var_list(self.c_dict['VAR_LIST_TEMP'],
+                                     time_info)
+
+        # if empty var list for FCST/OBS, use None as first var, else use first var in list
+        first_var_info = None
+        if var_list:
+            first_var_info = var_list[0]
+
         # get ensemble model files
         # do not fill file list with missing if ens_member_ids is used
         fill_missing = not self.env_var_dict.get('METPLUS_ENS_MEMBER_IDS')
         if not self.find_input_files_ensemble(time_info,
-                                              fill_missing=fill_missing):
+                                              fill_missing=fill_missing,
+                                              var_info=first_var_info):
             return
 
         # parse var list for ENS fields
         ensemble_var_list = util.sub_var_list(self.c_dict['ENS_VAR_LIST_TEMP'],
                                               time_info)
 
-        # parse optional var list for FCST and/or OBS fields
-        var_list = util.sub_var_list(self.c_dict['VAR_LIST_TEMP'],
-                                     time_info)
-
-        # if empty var list for FCST/OBS, use None as first var, else use first var in list
-        if not var_list:
-            first_var_info = None
-        else:
-            first_var_info = var_list[0]
-
         # get point observation file if requested
         if self.c_dict['OBS_POINT_INPUT_TEMPLATE']:
             point_obs_path = self.find_data(time_info, first_var_info, 'OBS_POINT')