diff --git a/biogeochem/EDMortalityFunctionsMod.F90 b/biogeochem/EDMortalityFunctionsMod.F90
index 312b01bb83..0739acaabc 100644
--- a/biogeochem/EDMortalityFunctionsMod.F90
+++ b/biogeochem/EDMortalityFunctionsMod.F90
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ subroutine mortality_rates( cohort_in,bc_in, btran_ft, mean_temp,             &
           if ( (.not. is_decid_dormant) .and. &
                ( btran_ft(cohort_in%pft) <= hf_sm_threshold ) .and. &
                ( ( minval(bc_in%t_soisno_sl) - tfrz ) > soil_tfrz_thresh ) ) then
-             hmort = EDPftvarcon_inst%mort_scalar_hydrfailure(cohort_in%pft)
+             hmort = EDPftvarcon_inst%mort_scalar_hydrfailure(cohort_in%pft)*((hf_sm_threshold- btran_ft(cohort_in%pft))/hf_sm_threshold)
           else
              hmort = 0.0_r8
           end if