Index: /issm/trunk-jpl/src/c/objects/Elements/Penta.cpp
===================================================================
--- /issm/trunk-jpl/src/c/objects/Elements/Penta.cpp	(revision 11271)
+++ /issm/trunk-jpl/src/c/objects/Elements/Penta.cpp	(revision 11272)
@@ -3763,9 +3763,9 @@
 	GaussPenta* gauss=NULL;
 
+	/* Ice/ocean heat exchange flux on ice shelf base */
+	if (!IsOnBed() || !IsFloating()) return NULL;
+
 	/*Initialize Element vector*/
 	ElementVector* pe=new ElementVector(nodes,NUMVERTICES,this->parameters);
-
-	/* Ice/ocean heat exchange flux on ice shelf base */
-	if (!IsOnBed() || !IsFloating()) return NULL;
 
 	/*Retrieve all inputs and parameters*/