diff --git a/python/examples/in.simple b/python/examples/in.simple
index 5f6ebdc4f2..3dc80bdfea 100644
--- a/python/examples/in.simple
+++ b/python/examples/in.simple
@@ -20,4 +20,6 @@ neigh_modify	delay 0 every 20 check no
 
 fix		1 all nve
 
+variable        fx atom fx
+
 run		10
diff --git a/python/examples/simple.py b/python/examples/simple.py
index 5a6157f87c..168ec94aa9 100755
--- a/python/examples/simple.py
+++ b/python/examples/simple.py
@@ -45,6 +45,12 @@ x[0] += epsilon
 lmp.scatter_atoms("x",1,3,x)
 lmp.command("run 1");
 
+f = lmp.extract_atom("f",3)
+print "Force on 1 atom via extract_atom: ",f[0][0]
+
+fx = lmp.extract_variable("fx","all",1)
+print "Force on 1 atom via extract_variable:",fx[0]
+
 # uncomment if running in parallel via Pypar
 #print "Proc %d out of %d procs has" % (me,nprocs), lmp
 #pypar.finalize()