diff --git a/Externals.cfg b/Externals.cfg
index f59ebf04ac..0876074ab7 100644
--- a/Externals.cfg
+++ b/Externals.cfg
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ protocol = git
 required = True
 
 [GSI]
-tag = gfsda.v16.1.0
+tag = gfsda.v16.1.1a
 local_path = sorc/gsi.fd
 repo_url = https://github.com/NOAA-EMC/GSI.git
 protocol = git
diff --git a/sorc/checkout.sh b/sorc/checkout.sh
index 8006900aa8..d9d354d438 100755
--- a/sorc/checkout.sh
+++ b/sorc/checkout.sh
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ if [[ ! -d gsi.fd ]] ; then
     rm -f ${topdir}/checkout-gsi.log
     git clone --recursive https://github.com/NOAA-EMC/GSI.git gsi.fd >> ${topdir}/checkout-gsi.log 2>&1
     cd gsi.fd
-    git checkout gfsda.v16.1.0
+    git checkout gfsda.v16.1.1a
     git submodule update
     cd ${topdir}
 else