diff --git a/pylot/core/pick/autopick.py b/pylot/core/pick/autopick.py
index 25a781b2..bdf76c5b 100644
--- a/pylot/core/pick/autopick.py
+++ b/pylot/core/pick/autopick.py
@@ -68,9 +68,10 @@ def autopickevent(data, param, iplot=0, fig_dict=None, ncores=0, metadata=None,
     pool.close()
 
     for pick in result:
-        station = pick['station']
-        pick.pop('station')
-        all_onsets[station] = pick
+        if pick:
+            station = pick['station']
+            pick.pop('station')
+            all_onsets[station] = pick
 
     return all_onsets
 
@@ -206,13 +207,14 @@ def autopickstation(wfstream, pickparam, verbose=False,
     if len(ndat) == 0:  # check for other components
         ndat = wfstream.select(component="1")
 
-
-    wfstart, wfend = full_range(wfstream)
+    if not zdat:
+        print('No z-component found for station {}. STOP'.format(wfstream[0].stats.station))
+        return
 
     if algoP == 'HOS' or algoP == 'ARZ' and zdat is not None:
         msg = '##################################################\nautopickstation:' \
               ' Working on P onset of station {station}\nFiltering vertical ' \
-              'trace ...\n{data}'.format(station=zdat[0].stats.station,
+              'trace ...\n{data}'.format(station=wfstream[0].stats.station,
                                          data=str(zdat))
         if verbose: print(msg)
         z_copy = zdat.copy()
@@ -972,14 +974,16 @@ def autopickstation(wfstream, pickparam, verbose=False,
     else:
         # dummy values (start of seismic trace) in order to derive
         # theoretical onset times for iteratve picking
-        try:
+        if edat:
             lpickS = edat[0].stats.starttime + timeerrorsS[3]
             epickS = edat[0].stats.starttime - timeerrorsS[3]
             mpickS = edat[0].stats.starttime
-        except:
+        elif ndat:
             lpickS = ndat[0].stats.starttime + timeerrorsS[3]
             epickS = ndat[0].stats.starttime - timeerrorsS[3]
             mpickS = ndat[0].stats.starttime
+        else:
+            return
 
     # create dictionary
     # for P phase
diff --git a/pylot/core/pick/picker.py b/pylot/core/pick/picker.py
index f89d0036..4a7c0dc9 100644
--- a/pylot/core/pick/picker.py
+++ b/pylot/core/pick/picker.py
@@ -244,7 +244,11 @@ class AICPicker(AutoPicker):
                               & (self.Tcf >= self.Pick))
             # find maximum within slope determination window
             # 'cause slope should be calculated up to first local minimum only!
-            imax = np.argmax(self.Data[0].data[islope[0][0]:islope[0][len(islope[0])-1]])
+            dataslope = self.Data[0].data[islope[0][0]:islope[0][len(islope[0]) - 1]]
+            if len(dataslope) < 1:
+                print('No data in slope window found!')
+                return
+            imax = np.argmax(dataslope)
             iislope = islope[0][0:imax+1]
             if len(iislope) <= 2:
                 # calculate slope from initial onset to maximum of AIC function
diff --git a/pylot/core/pick/utils.py b/pylot/core/pick/utils.py
index 41a5509a..6a73849b 100644
--- a/pylot/core/pick/utils.py
+++ b/pylot/core/pick/utils.py
@@ -228,6 +228,10 @@ def fmpicker(Xraw, Xfilt, pickwin, Pick, iplot=0, fig=None):
             if len(zc1) == 3:
                 break
 
+        if len(zc1) < 3:
+            print('fmpicker: Could not determine zero crossings!')
+            return
+
         # if time difference betweeen 1st and 2cnd zero crossing
         # is too short, get time difference between 1st and 3rd
         # to derive maximum