diff --git a/pysatNASA/instruments/methods/cdaweb.py b/pysatNASA/instruments/methods/cdaweb.py
index 5a56cd07..b0e71803 100644
--- a/pysatNASA/instruments/methods/cdaweb.py
+++ b/pysatNASA/instruments/methods/cdaweb.py
@@ -542,6 +542,7 @@ def download(date_array, data_path, tag='', inst_id='', supported_tags=None,
                                      stop=date_array[-1])
 
     # Create temproary directory if files need to be unzipped.
+    # Use one temp dir for all files if needed.
     if 'zip_method' in inst_dict.keys():
         zip_method = inst_dict['zip_method']
         temp_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
@@ -577,10 +578,11 @@ def download(date_array, data_path, tag='', inst_id='', supported_tags=None,
             with requests.get(remote_path) as req:
                 if req.status_code != 404:
                     if zip_method:
-                        get_file(req.content, data_path, fname,
-                                 temp_path=temp_dir.name, zip_method=zip_method)
+                        _get_file(req.content, data_path, fname,
+                                  temp_path=temp_dir.name,
+                                  zip_method=zip_method)
                     else:
-                        get_file(req.content, data_path, fname)
+                        _get_file(req.content, data_path, fname)
                     logger.info(''.join(('Successfully downloaded ',
                                          fname, '.')))
                 else:
@@ -599,7 +601,7 @@ def download(date_array, data_path, tag='', inst_id='', supported_tags=None,
     return
 
 
-def get_file(remote_file, data_path, fname, temp_path=None, zip_method=None):
+def _get_file(remote_file, data_path, fname, temp_path=None, zip_method=None):
     """Retrieve a file, unzipping if necessary.
 
     Parameters
@@ -617,11 +619,18 @@ def get_file(remote_file, data_path, fname, temp_path=None, zip_method=None):
         The method used to zip the file. Supports 'zip' and None.
         If None, downloads files directly. (default=None)
 
+    Raises
+    ------
+    ValueError if temp_path not specified for zip_method
+
     """
 
     if zip_method:
         # Use a temporary location.
-        dl_fname = os.path.join(temp_path, fname)
+        if temp_path:
+            dl_fname = os.path.join(temp_path, fname)
+        else:
+            raise ValueError('Temp path needs to be set if unzipping')
     else:
         # Use the pysat data directory.
         dl_fname = os.path.join(data_path, fname)
diff --git a/pysatNASA/tests/test_methods_cdaweb.py b/pysatNASA/tests/test_methods_cdaweb.py
index c5184a06..666e0f2c 100644
--- a/pysatNASA/tests/test_methods_cdaweb.py
+++ b/pysatNASA/tests/test_methods_cdaweb.py
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ def test_bad_zip_warning_get_files(self, caplog):
         temp_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
 
         with caplog.at_level(logging.WARNING, logger='pysat'):
-            cdw.get_file(req.content, '.', 'test.txt', temp_path=temp_dir.name,
-                         zip_method='badzip')
+            cdw._get_file(req.content, '.', 'test.txt', temp_path=temp_dir.name,
+                          zip_method='badzip')
         captured = caplog.text
 
         # Check for appropriate warning
@@ -119,6 +119,14 @@ def test_bad_zip_warning_get_files(self, caplog):
 
         return
 
+    def test_get_file_unzip_without_temp_path(self):
+        """Test that warning when cdf file does not have expected params."""
+
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError) as excinfo:
+            cdw._get_file('remote_file', 'fake_path', 'fname', zip_method='zip')
+        assert str(excinfo.value).find('Temp path needs') >= 0
+        return
+
     @pytest.mark.parametrize("bad_key,bad_val,err_msg",
                              [("tag", "badval", "inst_id / tag combo unknown."),
                               ("inst_id", "badval",