diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml
index 4e8368fc00f4..730ed4d95ce7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ jobs:
         echo " metdata_type = 'gswp3'" >> user_nl_elm
         echo " metdata_bypass = '/home/e3smuser/inputdata/atm/datm7/atm_forcing.datm7.GSWP3.0.5d.v2.c180716_NGEE-Grid/cpl_bypass_teller-Grid'" >> user_nl_elm
         echo " fsurdat = '/home/e3smuser/inputdata/lnd/clm2/surfdata_map/surfdata_1x1pt_teller-GRID_simyr1850_c360x720_c171002.nc'" >> user_nl_elm
+        echo " stream_fldfilename_popdens = '/home/e3smuser/inpudata/lnd/clm2/firedata/elmforc.ssp5_hdm_0.5x0.5_simyr1850-2100_c190109.nc'" >> user_nl_elm
         cat user_nl_elm
         ./case.setup
         ./case.build