diff --git a/src/parameterized_tendencies/sponge/rayleigh_sponge.jl b/src/parameterized_tendencies/sponge/rayleigh_sponge.jl
index f1347c6d257..46f48b22f21 100644
--- a/src/parameterized_tendencies/sponge/rayleigh_sponge.jl
+++ b/src/parameterized_tendencies/sponge/rayleigh_sponge.jl
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ function rayleigh_sponge_cache(rs::RayleighSponge, Y)
     (; zd, α_uₕ, α_w) = rs
     ᶜz = Fields.coordinate_field(Y.c).z
     ᶠz = Fields.coordinate_field(Y.f).z
-    ᶜαₘ_uₕ = @. ifelse(ᶜz > zd, α_uₕ, FT(0))
-    ᶠαₘ_w = @. ifelse(ᶠz > zd, α_w, FT(0))
+    ᶜαₘ_uₕ = @. ifelse(ᶜz > zd, α_uₕ, $(FT(0)))
+    ᶠαₘ_w = @. ifelse(ᶠz > zd, α_w, $(FT(0)))
     zmax = maximum(ᶠz)
     ᶜβ_rayleigh_uₕ = @. ᶜαₘ_uₕ * sin(FT(π) / 2 * (ᶜz - zd) / (zmax - zd))^2
     ᶠβ_rayleigh_w = @. ᶠαₘ_w * sin(FT(π) / 2 * (ᶠz - zd) / (zmax - zd))^2