diff --git a/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_import_export.F90 b/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_import_export.F90
index 62ff2727d..f8627d690 100644
--- a/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_import_export.F90
+++ b/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_import_export.F90
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ subroutine ice_import( importState, rc )
                    rhoa(i,j,iblk) = inst_pres_height_lowest / &
                         (287.058_ESMF_KIND_R8*(1._ESMF_KIND_R8+0.608_ESMF_KIND_R8*Qa(i,j,iblk))*Tair(i,j,iblk))
                 else
-                   rhoa(i,j,iblk) = 0._ESMF_KIND_R8
+                   rhoa(i,j,iblk) = 1.2_ESMF_KIND_R8
                 endif
              end do !i
           end do !j