diff --git a/src/create_atoms.cpp b/src/create_atoms.cpp
index b5e72393d3..1a8318e315 100644
--- a/src/create_atoms.cpp
+++ b/src/create_atoms.cpp
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ void CreateAtoms::command(int narg, char **arg)
 
     // molcreate = # of molecules I created
 
-    tagint molcreate = (atom->nlocal - nlocal_previous) / onemol->natoms * onemol->nmolecules;
+    tagint molcreate = (atom->nlocal - nlocal_previous) / onemol->natoms;
 
     // increment total bonds,angles,etc