diff --git a/src/fix_move.cpp b/src/fix_move.cpp
index 0d80f5664f..b935093235 100644
--- a/src/fix_move.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_move.cpp
@@ -244,7 +244,9 @@ FixMove::FixMove(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   maxatom = atom->nmax;
   if (displaceflag) memory->create(displace,maxatom,3,"move:displace");
+  else displace = NULL;
   if (velocityflag) memory->create(velocity,maxatom,3,"move:velocity");
+  else velocity = NULL;
 
   // xoriginal = initial unwrapped positions of atoms