diff --git a/tools/datafileBuilder.py b/tools/datafileBuilder.py
index 6300a793..40d01ac6 100755
--- a/tools/datafileBuilder.py
+++ b/tools/datafileBuilder.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ if args.list:
   print("The list of avalable formats are:")
   for formatName,_ in getFormatHandlers():
     print(formatName)
-else:
+elif args.file!=None:
   lines=args.file.readlines()
   soup=TexSoup(lines)
   opt=soup.dfbOptions
@@ -37,4 +37,6 @@ else:
     datapath.mkdir()
   datalst=dataFileBase.readFromTable(dat,texOps,commands=commands)
   for data in datalst:
-    data.toFile(datapath,texOps.suffix)
\ No newline at end of file
+    data.toFile(datapath,texOps.suffix)
+else:
+  parser.print_help()
\ No newline at end of file