diff --git a/pybamm/models/submodels/current_collector/potential_pair.py b/pybamm/models/submodels/current_collector/potential_pair.py
index f2fd3aee83..68a9066da3 100644
--- a/pybamm/models/submodels/current_collector/potential_pair.py
+++ b/pybamm/models/submodels/current_collector/potential_pair.py
@@ -58,13 +58,12 @@ def set_algebraic(self, variables):
         }
 
     def set_initial_conditions(self, variables):
-        applied_current = self.param.current_with_time
         phi_s_cn = variables["Negative current collector potential [V]"]
         i_boundary_cc = variables["Current collector current density [A.m-2]"]
 
         self.initial_conditions = {
             phi_s_cn: pybamm.Scalar(0),
-            i_boundary_cc: applied_current,
+            i_boundary_cc: pybamm.Scalar(0),
         }
 
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_models/test_full_battery_models/test_lithium_ion/base_lithium_ion_tests.py b/tests/unit/test_models/test_full_battery_models/test_lithium_ion/base_lithium_ion_tests.py
index f4e3c3cceb..de7d2bfe83 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_models/test_full_battery_models/test_lithium_ion/base_lithium_ion_tests.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_models/test_full_battery_models/test_lithium_ion/base_lithium_ion_tests.py
@@ -350,6 +350,44 @@ def external_circuit_function(variables):
         options = {"operating mode": external_circuit_function}
         self.check_well_posedness(options)
 
+    def test_well_posed_external_circuit_function_1plus1D(self):
+        def external_circuit_function(variables):
+            I = variables["Current [A]"]
+            V = variables["Voltage [V]"]
+            return (
+                V
+                + I
+                - pybamm.FunctionParameter(
+                    "Function", {"Time [s]": pybamm.t}, print_name="test_fun"
+                )
+            )
+
+        options = {
+            "current collector": "potential pair",
+            "dimensionality": 1,
+            "operating mode": external_circuit_function,
+        }
+        self.check_well_posedness(options)
+
+    def test_well_posed_external_circuit_function_2plus1D(self):
+        def external_circuit_function(variables):
+            I = variables["Current [A]"]
+            V = variables["Voltage [V]"]
+            return (
+                V
+                + I
+                - pybamm.FunctionParameter(
+                    "Function", {"Time [s]": pybamm.t}, print_name="test_fun"
+                )
+            )
+
+        options = {
+            "current collector": "potential pair",
+            "dimensionality": 2,
+            "operating mode": external_circuit_function,
+        }
+        self.check_well_posedness(options)
+
     def test_well_posed_particle_phases(self):
         options = {"particle phases": "2"}
         self.check_well_posedness(options)