diff --git a/parm/config/gefs/config.base b/parm/config/gefs/config.base
index 2bafde04f5..71112da519 100644
--- a/parm/config/gefs/config.base
+++ b/parm/config/gefs/config.base
@@ -282,6 +282,7 @@ export DO_JEDIATMENS="NO"
 export DO_JEDIOCNVAR="NO"
 export DO_JEDISNOWDA="NO"
 export DO_MERGENSST="NO"
+export DO_STARTMEM_FROM_JEDIICE="@DO_STARTMEM_FROM_JEDIICE@"
 
 # Hybrid related
 export NMEM_ENS=@NMEM_ENS@