diff --git a/tardis/model/base.py b/tardis/model/base.py
index acc2a9cdef6..dd7e9a32d80 100644
--- a/tardis/model/base.py
+++ b/tardis/model/base.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 from tardis.io.util import HDFWriterMixin
 from tardis.io.decay import IsotopeAbundances
 from tardis.model.density import HomologousDensity
+from pyne import nucname
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -498,6 +499,9 @@ def from_csvy(cls, config):
         Radial1DModel
 
         """
+        CSVY_SUPPORTED_COLUMNS = {'velocity', 'density', 't_rad', 'dilution_factor'}
+
+
         if os.path.isabs(config.csvy_model):
             csvy_model_fname = config.csvy_model
         else:
@@ -507,9 +511,23 @@ def from_csvy(cls, config):
         base_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__))
         schema_dir = os.path.join(base_dir, '..', 'io', 'schemas')
         csvy_schema_file = os.path.join(schema_dir, 'csvy_model.yml')
-        csvy_model_config  = Configuration(validate_dict(csvy_model_config, 
+        csvy_model_config = Configuration(validate_dict(csvy_model_config,
                                            schemapath=csvy_schema_file))
 
+        if hasattr(csvy_model_data, 'columns'):
+            abund_names = set([name for name in csvy_model_data.columns
+                           if nucname.iselement(name) or nucname.isnuclide(name)])
+            unsupported_columns = set(csvy_model_data.columns) - abund_names - CSVY_SUPPORTED_COLUMNS
+
+            field_names = set([field['name'] for field in csvy_model_config.datatype.fields])
+            assert set(csvy_model_data.columns) - field_names == set(),\
+                'CSVY columns exist without field descriptions'
+            assert field_names - set(csvy_model_data.columns) == set(),\
+                'CSVY field descriptions exist without corresponding csv data'
+            if unsupported_columns != set():
+                logger.warning("The following columns are specified in the csvy"
+                               "model file, but are IGNORED by TARDIS: %s"%(str(unsupported_columns)))
+
         time_explosion = config.supernova.time_explosion.cgs
 
         electron_densities = None
@@ -562,8 +580,8 @@ def from_csvy(cls, config):
 
         dilution_factor = None
         if hasattr(csvy_model_data, 'columns'):
-            if 'w' in csvy_model_data.columns:
-                dilution_factor = csvy_model_data['w'].iloc[0:].to_numpy()
+            if 'dilution_factor' in csvy_model_data.columns:
+                dilution_factor = csvy_model_data['dilution_factor'].iloc[0:].to_numpy()
 
         elif config.plasma.initial_t_rad > 0 * u.K:
             t_radiative = np.ones(no_of_shells) * config.plasma.initial_t_rad