diff --git a/ccinput/drivers/pysis.py b/ccinput/drivers/pysis.py
index 4b08e28..ee311d6 100644
--- a/ccinput/drivers/pysis.py
+++ b/ccinput/drivers/pysis.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def add_section(self, section):
             else:
                 self.sections[section] = {}
         else:
-            logger.warning(f"Duplicate specifications for section {section} were given")
+            print(f"Duplicate specifications for section {section} were given")
 
     def handle_specifications(self):
         s = self.clean(self.calc.parameters.specifications.lower())
diff --git a/ccinput/utilities.py b/ccinput/utilities.py
index 6771cb0..d54aa96 100644
--- a/ccinput/utilities.py
+++ b/ccinput/utilities.py
@@ -346,6 +346,9 @@ def get_solvent(solvent, software, solvation_model="smd"):
             return "octanol"
         # Note that ch2cl2 is a valid keyword for SMD, although not listed in the manual
 
+    if abs_solvent == "":
+        return abs_solvent
+
     return SOFTWARE_SOLVENTS[software][abs_solvent]