diff --git a/src/core_atmosphere/dynamics/mpas_atm_time_integration.F b/src/core_atmosphere/dynamics/mpas_atm_time_integration.F
index 227fbde862..6f23b939b0 100644
--- a/src/core_atmosphere/dynamics/mpas_atm_time_integration.F
+++ b/src/core_atmosphere/dynamics/mpas_atm_time_integration.F
@@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ subroutine mpas_atm_pre_compute_solve_diagnostics(block)
       MPAS_ACC_TIMER_START('first_compute_solve_diagnostics [ACC_data_xfer]')
 
       call mpas_pool_get_array(state, 'rho_zz', h, 1)
-      !$acc enter data create(h)
+      !$acc enter data copyin(h)
 
       call mpas_pool_get_array(state, 'u', u, 1)
       !$acc enter data copyin(u)