diff --git a/avida-core/source/main/cAvidaConfig.h b/avida-core/source/main/cAvidaConfig.h
index 0e102b6dd..c006a1360 100644
--- a/avida-core/source/main/cAvidaConfig.h
+++ b/avida-core/source/main/cAvidaConfig.h
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ class cAvidaConfig {
   CONFIG_ADD_VAR(IMMUNITY_TASK, int, -1, "Task providing immunity from the required task");
   CONFIG_ADD_VAR(REQUIRED_REACTION, int, -1, "Reaction ID required for successful divide");
   CONFIG_ADD_VAR(IMMUNITY_REACTION, int, -1, "Reaction ID that provides immunity for successful divide");
-  CONFIG_ADD_VAR(REQUIRE_SINGLE_REACTION, int, 0, "If set to 1, at least one reaction is required for a successful divide");
+  CONFIG_ADD_VAR(REQUIRE_SINGLE_REACTION, int, 0, "If set to 1, at least one reaction is required for a successful divide; if set to n > 1, at least n reactions are required for a successful divide");
   CONFIG_ADD_VAR(MAX_UNIQUE_TASK_COUNT, int, -1, "Division will fail if organism performs more than MAX_TASK_COUNT when MAX_TASK_COUNT >= 0");
   CONFIG_ADD_VAR(REQUIRED_BONUS, double, 0.0, "Required bonus to divide");
   CONFIG_ADD_VAR(REQUIRE_EXACT_COPY, int, 0, "Require offspring to be an exact copy (checked before divide mutations)");
diff --git a/avida-core/source/main/cOrganism.cc b/avida-core/source/main/cOrganism.cc
index b8a98e030..943176891 100644
--- a/avida-core/source/main/cOrganism.cc
+++ b/avida-core/source/main/cOrganism.cc
@@ -860,22 +860,22 @@ bool cOrganism::Divide_CheckViable(cAvidaContext& ctx)
   }
   
   if (single_reaction != 0) {
-    bool toFail = true;
+    int toFail = single_reaction;
     Apto::Array<int> reactionCounts = m_phenotype.GetCurReactionCount();
-    for (int i=0; i<reactionCounts.GetSize(); i++) {
-      if (reactionCounts[i] > 0) toFail = false;
+    for (int i=0; i<reactionCounts.GetSize() && toFail; i++) {
+      if (reactionCounts[i] > 0) --toFail;
     }
     
     if (toFail) {
       const Apto::Array<int>& stolenReactions = m_phenotype.GetStolenReactionCount();
-      for (int i = 0; i < stolenReactions.GetSize(); i++)
+      for (int i = 0; i < stolenReactions.GetSize() && toFail; i++)
       {
-        if (stolenReactions[i] > 0) toFail = false;
+        if (stolenReactions[i] > 0) --toFail;
       }
     }
     
     if (toFail) {
-      Fault(FAULT_LOC_DIVIDE, FAULT_TYPE_ERROR, cStringUtil::Stringf("Lacks any reaction required for divide"));
+      Fault(FAULT_LOC_DIVIDE, FAULT_TYPE_ERROR, cStringUtil::Stringf("Lacks sufficient reactions required for divide"));
       return false; //  (divide fails)
     }
   }