diff --git a/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/CICE_InitMod.F90 b/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/CICE_InitMod.F90
index 16e4216e6..3dcd8fb2f 100644
--- a/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/CICE_InitMod.F90
+++ b/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/CICE_InitMod.F90
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ end subroutine CICE_Initialize
 !
 !  Initialize CICE model.
 
-      subroutine cice_init(mpicom_ice)
+      subroutine cice_init
 
       use ice_arrays_column, only: hin_max, c_hi_range, alloc_arrays_column
       use ice_arrays_column, only: floe_rad_l, floe_rad_c, &
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ subroutine cice_init(mpicom_ice)
       use ice_flux_bgc, only: alloc_flux_bgc
       use ice_calendar, only: dt, dt_dyn, time, istep, istep1, write_ic, &
           init_calendar, calendar
-      use ice_communicate, only: init_communicate, my_task, master_task
+      use ice_communicate, only: my_task, master_task
       use ice_diagnostics, only: init_diags
       use ice_domain, only: init_domain_blocks
       use ice_domain_size, only: ncat, nfsd
@@ -91,14 +91,10 @@ subroutine cice_init(mpicom_ice)
       use drv_forcing, only: sst_sss
 #endif
 
-      integer (kind=int_kind), optional, intent(in) :: &
-         mpicom_ice ! communicator for sequential ccsm
-
       logical(kind=log_kind) :: tr_aero, tr_zaero, skl_bgc, z_tracers, &
          tr_iso, tr_fsd, wave_spec
       character(len=*), parameter :: subname = '(cice_init)'
 
-      call init_communicate(mpicom_ice)     ! initial setup for message passing
       call init_fileunits       ! unit numbers
 
       call icepack_configure()  ! initialize icepack
diff --git a/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_comp_nuopc.F90 b/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_comp_nuopc.F90
index e4c2a3802..81fb1a308 100644
--- a/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_comp_nuopc.F90
+++ b/cicecore/drivers/nuopc/cmeps/ice_comp_nuopc.F90
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ module ice_comp_nuopc
   use perf_mod           , only : t_startf, t_stopf, t_barrierf
 #endif
   use ice_timers
+  use ice_communicate, only: init_communicate
 
   implicit none
   private
@@ -328,6 +329,7 @@ subroutine InitializeRealize(gcomp, importState, exportState, clock, rc)
     integer(int_kind)       :: ktherm
     character(*), parameter     :: F00   = "('(ice_comp_nuopc) ',2a,1x,d21.14)"
     character(len=*), parameter :: subname=trim(modName)//':(InitializeRealize) '
+    logical                 :: mastertask
     !--------------------------------
 
     rc = ESMF_SUCCESS
@@ -406,7 +408,9 @@ subroutine InitializeRealize(gcomp, importState, exportState, clock, rc)
     ! Note that these values are obtained in a call to init_orbit in ice_shortwave.F90
     ! if CESMCOUPLED is not defined
 #ifdef CESMCOUPLED
-    call ice_orbital_init(gcomp, clock, nu_diag, my_task==master_task, rc)
+    mastertask = .false.
+    if (my_task == master_task) mastertask = .true.
+    call ice_orbital_init(gcomp, clock, nu_diag, mastertask, rc)
     if (ChkErr(rc,__LINE__,u_FILE_u)) return
 #else
     ! Start with icepack values then update with values defined in configure file if they exist
@@ -593,11 +597,13 @@ subroutine InitializeRealize(gcomp, importState, exportState, clock, rc)
     ! Note that sets the nu_diag module variable in ice_fileunits
     ! Set the nu_diag_set flag so it's not reset later
 
-#ifdef CESMCOUPLED
-    call set_component_logging(gcomp, my_task==master_task, nu_diag, shrlogunit, rc)
+    call init_communicate(lmpicom)     ! initial setup for message passing
+
+    mastertask = .false.
+    if (my_task == master_task) mastertask = .true.
+    call set_component_logging(gcomp, mastertask, nu_diag, shrlogunit, rc)
     if (ChkErr(rc,__LINE__,u_FILE_u)) return
     nu_diag_set = .true.
-#endif
 
 #ifdef CESMCOUPLED
     call shr_file_setLogUnit (shrlogunit)
@@ -613,7 +619,7 @@ subroutine InitializeRealize(gcomp, importState, exportState, clock, rc)
 #ifdef CESMCOUPLED
     call t_startf ('cice_init')
 #endif
-    call cice_init( lmpicom )
+    call cice_init
 #ifdef CESMCOUPLED
     call t_stopf ('cice_init')
 #endif