diff --git a/petab_select/constants.py b/petab_select/constants.py
index bba90ac..b56e8a4 100644
--- a/petab_select/constants.py
+++ b/petab_select/constants.py
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ class Criterion(str, Enum):
     LLH = "LLH"
     #: The negative log-likelihood.
     NLLH = "NLLH"
+    #: The sum of squared residuals.
+    SSR = "SSR"
 
 
 #: Methods that move through model space by taking steps away from some model.
diff --git a/petab_select/model.py b/petab_select/model.py
index d1c00c2..6c7602f 100644
--- a/petab_select/model.py
+++ b/petab_select/model.py
@@ -274,9 +274,11 @@ def compute_criterion(
             criterion_value = self.criterion_computer(criterion)
             self.set_criterion(criterion, criterion_value)
             result = criterion_value
-        except ValueError:
+        except ValueError as err:
             if raise_on_failure:
-                raise
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Insufficient information to compute criterion `{criterion}`."
+                ) from err
             result = None
         return result
 
@@ -684,6 +686,7 @@ def default_compare(
         Criterion.AICC,
         Criterion.BIC,
         Criterion.NLLH,
+        Criterion.SSR,
     ]:
         return (
             model1.get_criterion(criterion)