diff --git a/tinygrad/features/search.py b/tinygrad/features/search.py
index b87b2a1b39..52a2ba19a6 100644
--- a/tinygrad/features/search.py
+++ b/tinygrad/features/search.py
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ def time_linearizer(lin:Linearizer, rawbufs:List[RawBuffer], allow_test_size=Tru
   try:
     lin.linearize()
     prg = cast(Compiled, Device[Device.DEFAULT]).to_program(lin)
-    real_global_size = prg.global_size[:]
-    if allow_test_size:
+    real_global_size = prg.global_size
+    if allow_test_size and prg.global_size:
       test_global_size = prg.global_size[:]
       while prod(test_global_size) > max_global_size:
         for j in range(2,-1,-1):
@@ -45,12 +45,13 @@ def time_linearizer(lin:Linearizer, rawbufs:List[RawBuffer], allow_test_size=Tru
     # TODO: this is super broken for var_vals
     # TODO: this is copied from prg.__call__
     global_size, local_size = prg.launch_dims(var_vals)
-    if local_size is None:
+    if global_size is not None and local_size is None:
       local_size = prg.optimize_local_size(global_size, rawbufs)
       global_size = [g//l if g%l == 0 else g/l for g,l in zip(global_size, local_size)]
     tms = [prg.clprg(global_size, local_size, *rawbufs, *var_vals.values(), wait=True)*factor for _ in range(cnt)]
     prg.global_size = real_global_size
   except Exception:
+    #import traceback; traceback.print_exc()
     #print("FAILED")
     #print(lin.ast)
     #print(lin.applied_opts)