diff --git a/src/sparsezoo/models/zoo.py b/src/sparsezoo/models/zoo.py
index d7d34f37..6006ad92 100644
--- a/src/sparsezoo/models/zoo.py
+++ b/src/sparsezoo/models/zoo.py
@@ -507,20 +507,17 @@ def download_recipe_from_stub(
         :return: file path of the downloaded recipe for that model
         """
         stub, args = parse_zoo_stub(stub, valid_params=["recipe_type"])
+        recipe_type = _get_stub_args_recipe_type(args)
         model = Zoo.load_model_from_stub(stub)
 
-        # parse recipe type and find matching recipe
-        recipe_type = (
-            args["recipe_type"]
-            if "recipe_type" in args
-            else OptimizationRecipeTypes.ORIGINAL.value
-        )
         for recipe in model.recipes:
             if recipe.recipe_type == recipe_type:
                 return recipe.downloaded_path()
 
+        found_recipe_types = [recipe.recipe_type for recipe in model.recipes]
         raise RuntimeError(
-            f"No recipe with recipe_type {recipe_type} found for model {model}"
+            f"No recipe with recipe_type {recipe_type} found for model {model}. "
+            f"Found {len(model.recipes)} recipes with recipe types {found_recipe_types}"
         )
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -539,17 +536,9 @@ def download_recipe_base_framework_files(
             base weights of this recipe
         """
         stub, args = parse_zoo_stub(stub, valid_params=["recipe_type"])
+        recipe_type = _get_stub_args_recipe_type(args)
         model = Zoo.load_model_from_stub(stub)
 
-        # check recipe type, default to original, and validate
-        recipe_type = args.get("recipe_type", OptimizationRecipeTypes.ORIGINAL.value)
-        valid_recipe_types = list(map(lambda typ: typ.value, OptimizationRecipeTypes))
-        if recipe_type not in valid_recipe_types:
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"Invalid recipe_type {recipe_type}. "
-                f"Valid recipe types: {valid_recipe_types}"
-            )
-
         if recipe_type == OptimizationRecipeTypes.TRANSFER_LEARN.value:
             # return final model's optimized weights for sparse transfer learning
             framework_files = model.download_framework_files(extensions=extensions)
@@ -585,3 +574,17 @@ def download_recipe_base_framework_files(
 
             # return non-empty list, preferring filtered list
             return base_framework_files or framework_files
+
+
+def _get_stub_args_recipe_type(stub_args: Dict[str, str]) -> str:
+    # check recipe type, default to original, and validate
+    recipe_type = stub_args.get("recipe_type", OptimizationRecipeTypes.ORIGINAL.value)
+
+    # validate
+    valid_recipe_types = list(map(lambda typ: typ.value, OptimizationRecipeTypes))
+    if recipe_type not in valid_recipe_types:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Invalid recipe_type: '{recipe_type}'. "
+            f"Valid recipe types: {valid_recipe_types}"
+        )
+    return recipe_type