diff --git a/virtual_rainforest/example_data/config/vr_run.toml b/virtual_rainforest/example_data/config/vr_run.toml
index 59597d7f7..874af1c71 100644
--- a/virtual_rainforest/example_data/config/vr_run.toml
+++ b/virtual_rainforest/example_data/config/vr_run.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 [core]
 [hydrology.depends]
+init = ['plants']
 update = ['plants', 'abiotic_simple']
 [abiotic_simple]
 [animals]