diff --git a/cime/src/drivers/mct/main/cime_comp_mod.F90 b/cime/src/drivers/mct/main/cime_comp_mod.F90
index 90a57c99262e..c591090425a2 100644
--- a/cime/src/drivers/mct/main/cime_comp_mod.F90
+++ b/cime/src/drivers/mct/main/cime_comp_mod.F90
@@ -2083,6 +2083,7 @@ subroutine cime_run()
    use seq_comm_mct,   only: atm_layout, lnd_layout, ice_layout, glc_layout,  &
         rof_layout, ocn_layout, wav_layout, esp_layout
    use shr_string_mod, only: shr_string_listGetIndexF
+   use seq_comm_mct, only: num_inst_driver
 
    ! gptl timer lookup variables
    integer, parameter :: hashcnt=7
@@ -3739,7 +3740,9 @@ subroutine cime_run()
       !----------------------------------------------------------
       if (esp_present .and. esprun_alarm) then
          ! Make sure that all couplers are here in multicoupler mode before running ESP component
+        if (num_inst_driver > 1) then
          call mpi_barrier(global_comm, ierr)
+        endif
 
          call component_run(Eclock_e, esp, esp_run, infodata, &
               comp_prognostic=esp_prognostic, comp_num=comp_num_esp, &