diff --git a/alea/utils.py b/alea/utils.py
index 33cc80f..0f89770 100644
--- a/alea/utils.py
+++ b/alea/utils.py
@@ -117,16 +117,20 @@ def get_analysis_space(analysis_space: list) -> list:
     return eval_analysis_space
 
 
-def _prefix_file_path(config: dict, template_folder_list: list):
+def _prefix_file_path(
+    config: dict, template_folder_list: list, ignore_keys: List[str] = ["name", "histname"]
+):
     """Prefix file path with template_folder_list whenever possible.
 
     Args:
         config (dict): dictionary contains file path
         template_folder_list (list): list of possible base folders. Ordered by priority.
+        ignore_keys (list, optional (default=["name", "histname"])):
+        keys to be ignored when prefixing
 
     """
     for key in config.keys():
-        if isinstance(config[key], str):
+        if isinstance(config[key], str) and key not in ignore_keys:
             try:
                 config[key] = get_file_path(config[key], template_folder_list)
             except RuntimeError: