diff --git a/autotest/t505_test.py b/autotest/t505_test.py
index 1363d9a57..104f4fcfd 100644
--- a/autotest/t505_test.py
+++ b/autotest/t505_test.py
@@ -929,6 +929,28 @@ def test005_advgw_tidal():
     tdis_file = os.path.join(run_folder, 'all_files_same_name.tdis')
     assert os.path.exists(tdis_file)
 
+    # load simulation
+    sim_load = MFSimulation.load(sim.name, 'mf6', exe_name,
+                                 sim.simulation_data.mfpath.get_sim_path(),
+                                 verbosity_level=0)
+    model = sim_load.get_model()
+    # confirm ghb obs data has two blocks with correct file names
+    ghb = model.get_package('ghb')
+    obs = ghb.obs
+    obs_data = obs.continuous.get_data()
+    found_flows = False
+    found_obs = False
+    for key, value in obs_data.items():
+        if key.lower() == 'ghb_flows.csv':
+            # there should be only one
+            assert not found_flows
+            found_flows = True
+        if key.lower() == 'ghb_obs.csv':
+            # there should be only one
+            assert not found_obs
+            found_obs = True
+    assert found_flows and found_obs
+
     # clean up
     sim.delete_output_files()
 
diff --git a/flopy/mf6/mfpackage.py b/flopy/mf6/mfpackage.py
index 6cccd08cd..c357e8286 100644
--- a/flopy/mf6/mfpackage.py
+++ b/flopy/mf6/mfpackage.py
@@ -93,17 +93,28 @@ def build_header_variables(self, simulation_data, block_header_structure,
         self.data_items.append(new_data)
 
     def is_same_header(self, block_header):
-        if len(self.data_items) == 0 or \
-                        len(block_header.variable_strings) == 0:
+        if len(self.variable_strings) > 0:
+            if len(self.variable_strings) != \
+                    len(block_header.variable_strings):
+                return False
+            else:
+                for sitem, oitem in zip(self.variable_strings,
+                                        block_header.variable_strings):
+                    if sitem != oitem:
+                        return False
             return True
-        typ_obj = self.data_items[0].structure.data_item_structures[0].type_obj
-        if typ_obj == int or typ_obj == float:
-            if self.variable_strings[0] == block_header.variable_strings[0]:
-                return True
+        elif len(self.data_items) > 0 and \
+                len(block_header.variable_strings) > 0:
+            typ_obj = self.data_items[0].structure.data_item_structures[0].\
+                type_obj
+            if typ_obj == int or typ_obj == float:
+                return bool(self.variable_strings[0] == \
+                        block_header.variable_strings[0])
             else:
-                return False
-        else:
+                return True
+        elif len(self.data_items) == len(block_header.variable_strings):
             return True
+        return False
 
     def get_comment(self):
         if self.simulation_data is None:
diff --git a/requirements.travis.txt b/requirements.travis.txt
index 63f8a39ef..fc0e0fc16 100644
--- a/requirements.travis.txt
+++ b/requirements.travis.txt
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 appdirs
 matplotlib
-netcdf4 ; python_version != '3.8'
-netcdf4 != 1.5.3 ; python_version == '3.8'
+netcdf4 != 1.5.3
 fiona ; python_version < '3.8'
 descartes
 pyproj