diff --git a/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_alloy_omp.cpp b/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_alloy_omp.cpp
index c3d7d41b18..2503ff612f 100644
--- a/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_alloy_omp.cpp
+++ b/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_alloy_omp.cpp
@@ -47,11 +47,6 @@ void PairEAMAlloyOMP::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
 
   if (narg != 3 + atom->ntypes) error->all(FLERR, "Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
 
-  // ensure I,J args are * *
-
-  if (strcmp(arg[0], "*") != 0 || strcmp(arg[1], "*") != 0)
-    error->all(FLERR, "Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
-
   // read EAM setfl file
 
   if (setfl) {
diff --git a/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_fs_omp.cpp b/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_fs_omp.cpp
index 6ae6febb92..93b9b12526 100644
--- a/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_fs_omp.cpp
+++ b/src/OPENMP/pair_eam_fs_omp.cpp
@@ -47,11 +47,6 @@ void PairEAMFSOMP::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
 
   if (narg != 3 + atom->ntypes) error->all(FLERR, "Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
 
-  // ensure I,J args are * *
-
-  if (strcmp(arg[0], "*") != 0 || strcmp(arg[1], "*") != 0)
-    error->all(FLERR, "Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
-
   // read EAM Finnis-Sinclair file
 
   if (fs) {