diff --git a/src/molecule.cpp b/src/molecule.cpp
index c9155adc7e..1248dee306 100644
--- a/src/molecule.cpp
+++ b/src/molecule.cpp
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ void Molecule::read(int flag)
       error->all(FLERR,"Molecule file has no Body Doubles section");
     if (nmolecules > 0 && !moleculeflag)
       error->all(FLERR,"Molecule file has no Molecules section");
-    if (nfragments > 0 && !fragmentsflag)
+    if (nfragments > 0 && !fragmentflag)
       error->all(FLERR,"Molecule file has no Fragments section");
   }