diff --git a/R/create.R b/R/create.R
index d95cd0aef..a1e19f1ef 100644
--- a/R/create.R
+++ b/R/create.R
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ create_rt_data <- function(rt = rt_opts(), breakpoints = NULL,
   }
 
   # check incidence feedback
-  if (names(rt$incidence_feedback) != c("mean", "sd")) {
+  if (!identical(names(rt$incidence_feedback), c("mean", "sd"))) {
     stop("incidence_feedback must be a list with mean and sd")
   }
 
diff --git a/README.Rmd b/README.Rmd
index 8f463e2e4..8028e7c7b 100644
--- a/README.Rmd
+++ b/README.Rmd
@@ -142,7 +142,10 @@ estimates <- epinow(
   reported_cases = reported_cases,
   generation_time = generation_time_opts(generation_time),
   delays = delay_opts(incubation_period + reporting_delay),
-  rt = rt_opts(prior = list(mean = 2, sd = 0.2)),
+  rt = rt_opts(
+    prior = list(mean = 2, sd = 0.2),
+    incidence_feedback = list(mean = 0, sd = 0.0001)
+  ),
   stan = stan_opts(cores = 4, control = list(adapt_delta = 0.99)),
   verbose = interactive()
 )