diff --git a/Cantera/python/Cantera/Phase.py b/Cantera/python/Cantera/Phase.py
index 5590eed0a..ed65174e8 100755
--- a/Cantera/python/Cantera/Phase.py
+++ b/Cantera/python/Cantera/Phase.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class Phase:
             m = self.elementIndex(element)
             k = self.speciesIndex(species)
             na = _cantera.phase_natoms(self._phase_id, k, m)
-            if na < 0: return 0
+            #if na < 0: return 0
             return na
         except CanteraError:
             return 0