diff --git a/src/parameterizations/lateral/MOM_thickness_diffuse.F90 b/src/parameterizations/lateral/MOM_thickness_diffuse.F90
index 90ad91c0c0..daeb64fab9 100644
--- a/src/parameterizations/lateral/MOM_thickness_diffuse.F90
+++ b/src/parameterizations/lateral/MOM_thickness_diffuse.F90
@@ -1995,6 +1995,7 @@ subroutine thickness_diffuse_init(Time, G, GV, US, param_file, diag, CDp, CS)
   call get_param(param_file, mdl, "OMEGA", omega, &
                  "The rotation rate of the earth.", &
                  default=7.2921e-5, units="s-1", scale=US%T_to_s, do_not_log=.not.CS%use_FGNV_streamfn)
+  CS%N2_floor = 0.
   if (CS%use_FGNV_streamfn) CS%N2_floor = (strat_floor*omega)**2
   call get_param(param_file, mdl, "DEBUG", CS%debug, &
                  "If true, write out verbose debugging data.", &