diff --git a/atomic.h b/atomic.h
index 8b1334594..cd537047c 100644
--- a/atomic.h
+++ b/atomic.h
@@ -269,7 +269,10 @@ inline void update_includedionslevels_maxnions() {
 }
 
 // return the number of ions of all elements combined
-inline auto get_includedions() -> int { return includedions; }
+inline auto get_includedions() -> int {
+  assert_testmodeonly(get_includedions() > 0);
+  return includedions;
+}
 
 // return the number of ions of all elements combined
 inline auto get_includedlevels() -> int { return includedlevels; }
diff --git a/input.cc b/input.cc
index 94833f5d2..fa07a5a52 100644
--- a/input.cc
+++ b/input.cc
@@ -1445,9 +1445,9 @@ void setup_phixs_list() {
         }
 
         free(globals::elements[element].ions[ion].levels[level].photoion_xs);
-        globals::elements[element].ions[ion].levels[level].photoion_xs =
-            allphixsblock + (nbftableschanged * globals::NPHIXSPOINTS);
+        globals::elements[element].ions[ion].levels[level].photoion_xs = allphixsblock;
 
+        allphixsblock += globals::NPHIXSPOINTS;
         nbftableschanged++;
       }
     }