diff --git a/src/create_atoms.cpp b/src/create_atoms.cpp
index 8e21c19c9a..03b3c7b78c 100644
--- a/src/create_atoms.cpp
+++ b/src/create_atoms.cpp
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ void CreateAtoms::command(int narg, char **arg)
 
     // molcreate = # of molecules I created
 
-    tagint molcreate = (atom->nlocal - nlocal_previous) / onemol->natoms;
+    tagint molcreate = (atom->nlocal - nlocal_previous) / onemol->natoms * onemol->nmolecules;
 
     // increment total bonds,angles,etc