diff --git a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py
index 454d557e87..2cc738008a 100644
--- a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py
+++ b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py
@@ -66,8 +66,7 @@ def __init__(self, config: Dict[str, Any], yaml_name: Optional[str] = None):
                 'GPREFIX': f"gdas.t{self.task_config.previous_cycle.hour:02d}z.",
                 'atm_obsdatain_path': f"{self.task_config.DATA}/obs/",
                 'atm_obsdataout_path': f"{self.task_config.DATA}/diags/",
-                'BKG_TSTEP': "PT1H",  # Placeholder for 4D applications
-                'VarBcDir': f"{self.task_config.COM_ATMOS_ANALYSIS_PREV}",
+                'BKG_TSTEP': "PT1H"  # Placeholder for 4D applications
             }
         )
 
@@ -140,6 +139,7 @@ def initialize_analysis(self) -> None:
 
         # stage bias corrections
         logger.info(f"Staging list of bias correction files generated from JEDI config")
+        self.task_config.VarBcDir = f"{self.task_config.COM_ATMOS_ANALYSIS_PREV}"
         bias_file = f"rad_varbc_params.tar"
         self.jedi.get_bias(self.task_config, bias_file)
 
diff --git a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py
index 01fc4faac0..b57c80e22c 100644
--- a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py
+++ b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atmens_analysis.py
@@ -66,8 +66,7 @@ def __init__(self, config: Dict[str, Any], yaml_name: Optional[str] = None):
                 'GPREFIX': f"gdas.t{self.task_config.previous_cycle.hour:02d}z.",
                 'atm_obsdatain_path': f"./obs/",
                 'atm_obsdataout_path': f"./diags/",
-                'BKG_TSTEP': "PT1H",  # Placeholder for 4D applications
-                'VarBcDir': f"{self.task_config.COM_ATMOS_ANALYSIS_PREV}",
+                'BKG_TSTEP': "PT1H"  # Placeholder for 4D applications
             }
         )
 
@@ -139,6 +138,7 @@ def initialize_analysis(self) -> None:
 
         # stage bias corrections
         logger.info(f"Staging list of bias correction files generated from JEDI config")
+        self.task_config.VarBcDir = f"{self.task_config.COM_ATMOS_ANALYSIS_PREV}"
         bias_file = f"rad_varbc_params.tar"
         self.jedi.get_bias(self.task_config, bias_file)