diff --git a/src/create_bonds.cpp b/src/create_bonds.cpp
index 7b3929db62..d316644e15 100644
--- a/src/create_bonds.cpp
+++ b/src/create_bonds.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,6 @@ void CreateBonds::command(int narg, char **arg)
     iarg = 6;
   } else if (strcmp(arg[0], "single/bond") == 0) {
     style = SBOND;
-    if (narg < 4) error->all(FLERR, "Illegal create_bonds command");
     btype = utils::inumeric(FLERR, arg[1], false, lmp);
     batom1 = utils::tnumeric(FLERR, arg[2], false, lmp);
     batom2 = utils::tnumeric(FLERR, arg[3], false, lmp);