diff --git a/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.cpp b/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.cpp
index ab15f481c..6f4e817bb 100644
--- a/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.cpp
+++ b/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.cpp
@@ -117,6 +117,18 @@ allocate(const std::size_t bufferSize,
     allocated_ = true;
 }
 
+template<class Scalar>
+void MechContainer<Scalar>::
+assignPotentialForces(const unsigned globalDofIdx,
+                      const Scalar force,
+                      const Scalar pressForce,
+                      const Scalar tempForce)
+{
+    potentialForce_[globalDofIdx] = force;
+    potentialPressForce_[globalDofIdx] = pressForce;
+    potentialTempForce_[globalDofIdx] = tempForce;
+}
+
 template<class Scalar>
 void MechContainer<Scalar>::
 outputRestart(data::Solution& sol) const
diff --git a/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.hpp b/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.hpp
index bd9196b39..964618a8b 100644
--- a/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.hpp
+++ b/opm/simulators/flow/MechContainer.hpp
@@ -44,6 +44,11 @@ public:
     void allocate(const std::size_t bufferSize,
                   std::map<std::string, int>& rstKeywords);
 
+    void assignPotentialForces(const unsigned globalDofIdx,
+                               const Scalar force,
+                               const Scalar pressForce,
+                               const Scalar tempForce);
+
     void outputRestart(data::Solution& sol) const;
 
     bool allocated() const
diff --git a/opm/simulators/flow/OutputBlackoilModule.hpp b/opm/simulators/flow/OutputBlackoilModule.hpp
index fb655fc37..39f205354 100644
--- a/opm/simulators/flow/OutputBlackoilModule.hpp
+++ b/opm/simulators/flow/OutputBlackoilModule.hpp
@@ -209,9 +209,10 @@ public:
                 const unsigned globalDofIdx = elemCtx.globalSpaceIndex(dofIdx, /*timeIdx=*/0);
 
                 // Assume all mechanical things should be written
-                this->mech_.potentialForce_[globalDofIdx] = model.mechPotentialForce(globalDofIdx);
-                this->mech_.potentialPressForce_[globalDofIdx] = model.mechPotentialPressForce(globalDofIdx);
-                this->mech_.potentialTempForce_[globalDofIdx] = model.mechPotentialTempForce(globalDofIdx);
+                this->mech_.assignPotentialForces(globalDofIdx,
+                                                  model.mechPotentialForce(globalDofIdx),
+                                                  model.mechPotentialPressForce(globalDofIdx),
+                                                  model.mechPotentialTempForce(globalDofIdx));
 
                 const auto disp = model.disp(globalDofIdx, /*include_fracture*/true);
                 this->mech_.dispX_[globalDofIdx] = disp[Voigt::XX];