diff --git a/dart/api/mphys.py b/dart/api/mphys.py
index 46414727f42af5aecd6384ac13755fb3aefafc28..e32b7c89890dbdff18dd1182c074e8a28628f451 100644
--- a/dart/api/mphys.py
+++ b/dart/api/mphys.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ class DartSolver(om.ImplicitComponent):
         self.sol = self.options['sol']
         self.adj = self.options['adj']
         # I/O
-        self.add_input('aoa', val=0., units='rad', desc='angle of attack', tags=['mphys_input'])
+        self.add_input('aoa', val=self.sol.pbl.alpha, units='rad', desc='angle of attack', tags=['mphys_input'])
         self.add_input('xv', shape_by_conn=True, desc='aerodynamic volume node coordinates', tags=['mphys_coupling'])
         self.add_output('phi', val=np.zeros(len(self.sol.pbl.msh.nodes)), desc='dart variables (potential)', tags=['mphys_coupling'])
         # Partials