diff --git a/examples/ELASTIC/in.elastic b/examples/ELASTIC/in.elastic
index dd03394b64..ccd2b7367d 100644
--- a/examples/ELASTIC/in.elastic
+++ b/examples/ELASTIC/in.elastic
@@ -85,6 +85,8 @@ variable d4 equal -(v_pyz1-${pyz0})/(v_delta/v_len0)*${cfac}
 variable d5 equal -(v_pxz1-${pxz0})/(v_delta/v_len0)*${cfac}
 variable d6 equal -(v_pxy1-${pxy0})/(v_delta/v_len0)*${cfac}
 
+displace_atoms all random ${atomjiggle} ${atomjiggle} ${atomjiggle} 87287 units box
+
 # Write restart
 unfix 3
 write_restart restart.equil
diff --git a/examples/ELASTIC/init.mod b/examples/ELASTIC/init.mod
index a74897f71c..362d11bf67 100644
--- a/examples/ELASTIC/init.mod
+++ b/examples/ELASTIC/init.mod
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 # variable to verify that results do not depend on it.
 variable up equal 1.0e-6
  
+# Define the amount of random jiggle for atoms
+# This prevents atoms from staying on saddle points
+variable atomjiggle equal 1.0e-5
+
 # Uncomment one of these blocks, depending on what units
 # you are using in LAMMPS and for output