diff --git a/autotest/t032_test.py b/autotest/t032_test.py
index bbb0dde8e0..3f4c5fe73f 100644
--- a/autotest/t032_test.py
+++ b/autotest/t032_test.py
@@ -27,11 +27,15 @@ def test_polygon_from_ij():
                                    nlay=2, delr=100, delc=100,
                                    top=3, botm=botm, model=m)
 
-    ncdf = NetCdf('toy.model.nc', m)
+    fname = os.path.join(mpth, 'toy.model.nc')
+    ncdf = NetCdf(fname, m)
     ncdf.write()
 
-    m.export('toy_model_two.nc')
-    dis.export('toy_model_dis.nc')
+    fname = os.path.join(mpth, 'toy_model_two.nc')
+    m.export(fname)
+
+    fname = os.path.join(mpth, 'toy_model_dis.nc')
+    dis.export(fname)
 
     mg = m.modelgrid
     mg.set_coord_info(xoff=mg._xul_to_xll(600000.0, -45.0),
diff --git a/flopy/mbase.py b/flopy/mbase.py
index 05ff34b295..612728dc0a 100644
--- a/flopy/mbase.py
+++ b/flopy/mbase.py
@@ -1473,7 +1473,7 @@ def to_shapefile(self, filename, package_names=None, **kwargs):
 
 def run_model(exe_name, namefile, model_ws='./',
               silent=False, pause=False, report=False,
-              normal_msg='normal termination', use_async=False,
+              normal_msg='normal termination', use_async=True,
               cargs=None):
     """
     This function will run the model using subprocess.Popen.  It
@@ -1629,10 +1629,11 @@ def q_output(output, q):
     proc.stdout.close()
 
     for line in buff:
-        if normal_msg in line:
-            print("success")
-            success = True
-            break
+        for msg in normal_msg:
+            if msg in line.lower():
+                print("success")
+                success = True
+                break
 
     if pause:
         input('Press Enter to continue...')