diff --git a/cime_config/tests.py b/cime_config/tests.py
index 423684ea7922..c92870ad9f7a 100644
--- a/cime_config/tests.py
+++ b/cime_config/tests.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@
             "ERS_Ld20.f45_f45.IELMFATES.elm-fates",
             "ERS.hcru_hcru.I20TRGSWCNPRDCTCBC.elm-erosion",
             "ERS.f09_g16.IELMBC.elm-simple_decomp",
+            "ERS.hcru_hcru.IELM.elm-multi_inst",
             )
         },
 
diff --git a/components/elm/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/elm/multi_inst/shell_commands b/components/elm/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/elm/multi_inst/shell_commands
new file mode 100755
index 000000000000..0cb920194bea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/elm/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/elm/multi_inst/shell_commands
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+./xmlchange NINST_LND=2,NINST_ROF=2