diff --git a/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_gmres.cpp b/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_gmres.cpp
index c0d3a7d882..07303addea 100644
--- a/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_gmres.cpp
+++ b/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_gmres.cpp
@@ -273,9 +273,13 @@ void FixPolarizeBEMGMRES::setup(int /*vflag*/)
       efield_kspace = (dynamic_cast<MSMDielectric *>(force->kspace))->efield;
     else
       error->all(FLERR, "Kspace style not compatible with fix polarize/bem/gmres");
-  } else 
-      error->all(FLERR, "No Kspace style available for fix polarize/bem/gmres");
-  
+  } else {
+    if (kspaceflag == 1) {    // users specified kspace yes but there is no kspace pair style
+      error->warning(FLERR, "No Kspace pair style available for fix polarize/bem/gmres");
+      kspaceflag = 0;
+    }
+  }
+
   // NOTE: epsilon0e2q converts (epsilon0 * efield) to the unit of (charge unit / squared distance unit)
   // efield is computed by pair and kspace styles in the unit of energy unit / charge unit / distance unit
   // for units real efield is in the unit of kcal/mol/e/A
diff --git a/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_icc.cpp b/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_icc.cpp
index 3d451256ff..9b778122af 100644
--- a/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_icc.cpp
+++ b/src/DIELECTRIC/fix_polarize_bem_icc.cpp
@@ -175,10 +175,9 @@ void FixPolarizeBEMICC::setup(int /*vflag*/)
       efield_kspace = (dynamic_cast<MSMDielectric *>(force->kspace))->efield;
     else
       error->all(FLERR, "Kspace style not compatible with fix polarize/bem/icc");
-
   } else {
-    if (kspaceflag == 1) {    // users specified kspace yes
-      error->warning(FLERR, "No Kspace style available for fix polarize/bem/icc");
+    if (kspaceflag == 1) {    // users specified kspace yes but there is no kspace pair style
+      error->warning(FLERR, "No Kspace pair style available for fix polarize/bem/icc");
       kspaceflag = 0;
     }
   }