diff --git a/programs/genesis_util/generate_init_patch.py b/programs/genesis_util/generate_init_patch.py
index 954ec2e9..72966431 100755
--- a/programs/genesis_util/generate_init_patch.py
+++ b/programs/genesis_util/generate_init_patch.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ def main():
        "append" : {
        "initial_accounts" : wit_accounts },
        "replace" : {
+       "initial_active_witnesses" : opts.num,
        "initial_worker_candidates" : [],
        "initial_witness_candidates" : wit_wits,
        "initial_committee_candidates" : committee,