A simple modification of the original problem table algorithm (PTA) to target the minimum utility requirements in a heat exchanger network is proposed in this paper. The modified problem table algorithm (MPTA) eliminates the requirement of identification of streams to determine the net heat capacity flow rate at each temperature interval. Targeted utility requirements and the grand composite curve for the heat exchanger network problem are identical for both the original PTA and the proposed MPTA. This simple but fundamental change in the proposed MPTA, enhances its applicability to target the minimum external utility requirements in some special cases of heat-integrated water allocation networks. Pedagogical importance of the proposed MPTA is also discussed.