diff --git a/mbuild/tests/test_polymer.py b/mbuild/tests/test_polymer.py
index f4ec75dd0..0bf67161d 100644
--- a/mbuild/tests/test_polymer.py
+++ b/mbuild/tests/test_polymer.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ def test_polymer_from_smiles(self):
         assert len([p for p in chain.particles() if p.name == "C"]) == 10
         assert len([p for p in chain.particles() if p.name == "H"]) == 22
         assert len(chain.available_ports()) == 0
+        assert len(chain.children) == 5
 
     def test_add_end_groups(self, ch2, ester):
         n = 6