diff --git a/src/core/MOM_barotropic.F90 b/src/core/MOM_barotropic.F90
index 545b7fabf7..f30b86f57a 100644
--- a/src/core/MOM_barotropic.F90
+++ b/src/core/MOM_barotropic.F90
@@ -1916,7 +1916,8 @@ subroutine btstep(U_in, V_in, eta_in, dt, bc_accel_u, bc_accel_v, forces, pbce,
       do J=jsv-1,jev ; do i=isv-1,iev+1
         vel_prev = vbt(i,J)
         vbt(i,J) = bt_rem_v(i,J) * (vbt(i,J) + &
-                    dtbt * ((BT_force_v(i,J) + Cor_v(i,J)) + PFv(i,J)))
+             dtbt * ((BT_force_v(i,J) + Cor_v(i,J)) + PFv(i,J)))
+        if (abs(vbt(i,J)) < CS%vel_underflow) vbt(i,J) = 0.0
         vbt_trans(i,J) = trans_wt1*vbt(i,J) + trans_wt2*vel_prev
       enddo ; enddo