diff --git a/src/cad.cpp b/src/cad.cpp
index 325fda9de1..ff22f235f0 100644
--- a/src/cad.cpp
+++ b/src/cad.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ void load_cad_geometry_c()
       openmc::CADCell c = openmc::CADCell();
       c.id = DAGMC->id_by_index(3, i);
       c.dagmc_ptr = DAGMC;
+      c.universe = 0; // set to zero for now
       openmc::cells_c.push_back(c);
     }