diff --git a/src/KOKKOS/comm_kokkos.cpp b/src/KOKKOS/comm_kokkos.cpp
index 5bf7464ac0..22800a1376 100644
--- a/src/KOKKOS/comm_kokkos.cpp
+++ b/src/KOKKOS/comm_kokkos.cpp
@@ -793,7 +793,10 @@ void CommKokkos::exchange()
   }
 
   atomKK->sync(Host,ALL_MASK);
+  int prev_auto_sync = lmp->kokkos->auto_sync;
+  lmp->kokkos->auto_sync = 1;
   CommBrick::exchange();
+  lmp->kokkos->auto_sync = prev_auto_sync;
   atomKK->modified(Host,ALL_MASK);
 }