diff --git a/src/fix_efield.cpp b/src/fix_efield.cpp
index a3aae2423a..a2962fb5f9 100644
--- a/src/fix_efield.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_efield.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "atom.h"
 #include "update.h"
 #include "domain.h"
+#include "comm.h"
 #include "modify.h"
 #include "force.h"
 #include "respa.h"
@@ -180,6 +181,11 @@ void FixEfield::init()
   if (muflag && varflag == ATOM)
     error->all(FLERR,"Fix efield with dipoles cannot use atom-style variables");
 
+  if (muflag && update->whichflag == 2 && comm->me == 0)
+    error->warning(FLERR,
+                   "The minimizer does not re-orient dipoles "
+                   "when using fix efield");
+
   if (varflag == CONSTANT && estyle != NONE)
     error->all(FLERR,"Cannot use variable energy with "
                "constant efield in fix efield");