diff --git a/main/FatesInterfaceMod.F90 b/main/FatesInterfaceMod.F90
index f8bbf0da33..82b4357ea7 100644
--- a/main/FatesInterfaceMod.F90
+++ b/main/FatesInterfaceMod.F90
@@ -832,7 +832,7 @@ subroutine SetFatesGlobalElements2(use_fates)
          end if
          
          fates_maxElementsPerSite = max(fates_maxPatchesPerSite * fates_maxElementsPerPatch, &
-              numWatermem, num_vegtemp_mem, num_elements, nlevsclass*numpft)
+              numWatermem*numpft, num_vegtemp_mem, num_elements, nlevsclass*numpft)
 
          if(hlm_use_planthydro==itrue)then
             fates_maxElementsPerSite = max(fates_maxElementsPerSite, nshell*nlevsoi_hyd_max )