diff --git a/ush/parsing_model_configure_FV3.sh b/ush/parsing_model_configure_FV3.sh
index 8033d7686a..f7265e6108 100755
--- a/ush/parsing_model_configure_FV3.sh
+++ b/ush/parsing_model_configure_FV3.sh
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ local SHOUR=${model_start_date:8:2}
 local FHROT=${IAU_FHROT:-0}
 local DT_ATMOS=${DELTIM}
 local RESTART_INTERVAL="${FV3_RESTART_FH[*]}"
+local RESTART_FH=" "
 # QUILTING
 local QUILTING_RESTART="${QUILTING_RESTART:-${QUILTING}}"
 local WRITE_GROUP=${WRITE_GROUP:-1}