diff --git a/src/postProcessing/functionObjects/utilities/scalarTransport/scalarTransport.C b/src/postProcessing/functionObjects/utilities/scalarTransport/scalarTransport.C
index 2b9c1eb587..79e1a98ac9 100644
--- a/src/postProcessing/functionObjects/utilities/scalarTransport/scalarTransport.C
+++ b/src/postProcessing/functionObjects/utilities/scalarTransport/scalarTransport.C
@@ -191,9 +191,13 @@ Foam::scalarTransport::scalarTransport
 {
     read(dict);
 
+    // Force creation of transported field so any bcs using it can look it
+    // up
+    volScalarField& T = transportedField();
+
     if (resetOnStartUp_)
     {
-        transportedField() == dimensionedScalar("zero", dimless, 0.0);
+        T == dimensionedScalar("zero", dimless, 0.0);
     }
 }