diff --git a/lef/defWrite.c b/lef/defWrite.c
index afdbdc84..96fee895 100644
--- a/lef/defWrite.c
+++ b/lef/defWrite.c
@@ -1129,7 +1129,10 @@ defNetGeometryFunc(tile, plane, defdata)
 		midlinex2 = (r.r_xtop + r.r_xbot);
 	    }
 	    else
+	    {
+		orient = GEO_EAST;
 		midlinex2 = (r.r_ytop + r.r_ybot);
+	    }
 	}
 
 	/* Find the route orientation and centerline endpoint coordinates */