diff --git a/test/gmsh.cc b/test/gmsh.cc
index 56d8bd8c9..307fab07e 100644
--- a/test/gmsh.cc
+++ b/test/gmsh.cc
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <PCU.h>
 #include <lionPrint.h>
 #include <cstdlib>
+#include <string.h>
 
 int main(int argc, char** argv)
 {
@@ -21,6 +22,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
   gmi_register_null();
   gmi_register_mesh();
   apf::Mesh2* m = apf::loadMdsFromGmsh(gmi_load(argv[1]), argv[2]);
+  // if input model is null derive a basic model for verify to pass.
+  if (std::string(argv[1]).compare(".null") == 0)
+    apf::deriveMdsModel(m);
   m->verify();
   m->writeNative(argv[3]);
   m->destroyNative();