diff --git a/dyn_em/start_em.F b/dyn_em/start_em.F
index 96057ebdfb..700f0df38c 100644
--- a/dyn_em/start_em.F
+++ b/dyn_em/start_em.F
@@ -2001,7 +2001,6 @@ SUBROUTINE start_domain_em ( grid, allowed_to_read &
 #endif
 
 DEALLOCATE(z_at_q)
-DEALLOCATE(dz8w)
 
    IF (config_flags%p_lev_diags == PRESS_DIAGS ) THEN
     CALL wrf_debug ( 200 , ' PLD: pressure level diags' )
@@ -2167,6 +2166,7 @@ SUBROUTINE start_domain_em ( grid, allowed_to_read &
                ,ITS=its,ITE=ite, JTS=jts,JTE=jte, KTS=kts,KTE=kte   )
    ENDIF
 
+DEALLOCATE(dz8w)
 
 !  FIRE
 if(config_flags%ifire.eq.2)then