diff --git a/corrlib/toml.py b/corrlib/toml.py
index 5d76b33..058da2d 100644
--- a/corrlib/toml.py
+++ b/corrlib/toml.py
@@ -221,11 +221,11 @@ def import_toml(path: Path, file: str, copy_file: bool=True) -> None:
                                             version=md['version'], cfg_separator=md['cfg_separator'], sep='/')
 
         elif project['code'] == 'openQCD':
+            if not (isinstance(md['files'], list)):
+                raise ValueError("files has to be a list of strings")
+            if not all(isinstance(f, str) for f in md["files"]):
+                raise ValueError("files has to be a list of strings")
             if md['measurement'] == 'ms1':
-                if not (isinstance(md['files'], list)):
-                    raise ValueError("files has to be a list of strings")
-                if not all(isinstance(f, str) for f in md["files"]):
-                    raise ValueError("files has to be a list of strings")
                 if 'param_file' in md.keys():
                     parameter_file = md['param_file']
                     if parameter_file.endswith(".ms1.in"):