diff --git a/src/prognostic_equations/edmfx_closures.jl b/src/prognostic_equations/edmfx_closures.jl
index 12154830a9b..ef8c612a778 100644
--- a/src/prognostic_equations/edmfx_closures.jl
+++ b/src/prognostic_equations/edmfx_closures.jl
@@ -178,9 +178,9 @@ function mixing_length(
     smin_rm = TCP.smin_rm(turbconv_params)
     c_b = TCP.static_stab_coeff(turbconv_params)
     vkc = TCP.von_karman_const(turbconv_params)
-    
+
     # compute the maximum mixing length at height z
-    l_z = z - z_sfc
+    l_z = ᶜz - z_sfc
 
     # compute the l_W - the wall constraint mixing length
     # which imposes an upper limit on the size of eddies near the surface