diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py
index fcee1f0b85..e5092e0134 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/__init__.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def __init__(self, test_group, mesh_name,  # noqa: C901
             remap_step = RemapMaliTopography(
                 test_case=self, base_mesh_step=base_mesh_step,
                 mesh_name=mesh_name, mali_ais_topo=mali_ais_topo,
-                ocean_includes_grounded=True)
+                ocean_includes_grounded=False)
 
         self.add_step(remap_step)