diff --git a/doc/dynare.texi b/doc/dynare.texi
index b087e5cec..3cca06220 100644
--- a/doc/dynare.texi
+++ b/doc/dynare.texi
@@ -5101,7 +5101,7 @@ This command triggers identification analysis.
 @table @code
 
 @item ar = @var{INTEGER}
-Number of lags of computed autocorrelations (theoretical moments). Default: @code{3}
+Number of lags of computed autocorrelations (theoretical moments). Default: @code{1}
 
 @item useautocorr = @var{INTEGER}
 If equal to @code{1}, compute derivatives of autocorrelation. If equal
diff --git a/matlab/dynare_identification.m b/matlab/dynare_identification.m
index 5b600bbcd..b20574c03 100644
--- a/matlab/dynare_identification.m
+++ b/matlab/dynare_identification.m
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'gsa_sample_file',0);
 options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'parameter_set','prior_mean');
 options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'load_ident_files',0);
 options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'useautocorr',0);
-options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'ar',3);
+options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'ar',1);
 options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'prior_mc',1);
 options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'prior_range',0);
 options_ident = set_default_option(options_ident,'periods',300);
diff --git a/matlab/identification_analysis.m b/matlab/identification_analysis.m
index d97eb4989..2789ae1e5 100644
--- a/matlab/identification_analysis.m
+++ b/matlab/identification_analysis.m
@@ -80,10 +80,21 @@ if info(1)==0,
     derivatives_info.DYss=dYss;
     if init,
         indJJ = (find(max(abs(JJ'))>1.e-8));
+        while length(indJJ)<nparam && nlags<10,
+            disp('The number of moments with non-zero derivative is smaller than the number of parameters')
+            disp(['Try increasing ar = ', int2str(nlags+1)])           
+            nlags=nlags+1;
+            [JJ, H, gam, gp, dA, dOm, dYss] = getJJ(A, B, M_,oo0,options_,0,indx,indexo,bayestopt_.mf2,nlags,useautocorr);
+            derivatives_info.DT=dA;
+            derivatives_info.DOm=dOm;
+            derivatives_info.DYss=dYss;
+            evalin('caller',['options_ident.ar=',int2str(nlags),';']);
+        end
         if length(indJJ)<nparam,
             disp('The number of moments with non-zero derivative is smaller than the number of parameters')
-            disp('Either increase ar or reduce the list of estimated parameters')           
-            error ,
+            disp('up to 10 lags: check your model')           
+            disp('Either further increase ar or reduce the list of estimated parameters')           
+            error('IDETooManyParams',''),
         end
         indH = (find(max(abs(H'))>1.e-8));
         indLRE = (find(max(abs(gp'))>1.e-8));