diff --git a/pybamm/models/submodels/interface/sei/sei_growth.py b/pybamm/models/submodels/interface/sei/sei_growth.py
index 7f6e2771cc..89bb662fbc 100644
--- a/pybamm/models/submodels/interface/sei/sei_growth.py
+++ b/pybamm/models/submodels/interface/sei/sei_growth.py
@@ -134,8 +134,7 @@ def get_coupled_variables(self, variables):
         elif SEI_option == "electron-migration limited":
             # Scott Marquis thesis (eq. 5.94)
             eta_inner = delta_phi - phase_param.U_inner
-            j_sei = phase_param.kappa_inner * eta_inner / L_sei_inner
-
+            j_sei = (eta_inner < 0) * phase_param.kappa_inner * eta_inner / L_sei_inner
         elif SEI_option == "interstitial-diffusion limited":
             # Scott Marquis thesis (eq. 5.96)
             j_sei = -(