diff --git a/src/ice_maEVP.F90 b/src/ice_maEVP.F90
index aec61801c..d08a7fb1e 100644
--- a/src/ice_maEVP.F90
+++ b/src/ice_maEVP.F90
@@ -138,7 +138,12 @@ subroutine stress_tensor_m(ice, partit, mesh)
         if (ulevels(elem) > 1) cycle
 
         msum=sum(m_ice(elnodes))*val3
-        if(msum<=0.01_WP) cycle !DS
+        if(msum<=0.01_WP) then
+            sigma11(elem) = 0.0_WP
+            sigma22(elem) = 0.0_WP
+            sigma12(elem) = 0.0_WP
+            cycle
+        end if
         asum=sum(a_ice(elnodes))*val3
 
         dx=gradient_sca(1:3,elem)
@@ -1061,7 +1066,12 @@ subroutine stress_tensor_a(ice, partit, mesh)
         elnodes=elem2D_nodes(:,elem)
 
         msum=sum(m_ice(elnodes))*val3
-        if(msum<=0.01_WP) cycle !DS
+        if(msum<=0.01_WP) then
+            sigma11(elem) = 0.0_WP
+            sigma22(elem) = 0.0_WP
+            sigma12(elem) = 0.0_WP
+            cycle
+        end if
         asum=sum(a_ice(elnodes))*val3
 
         dx=gradient_sca(1:3,elem)