diff --git a/python/paddle/v2/framework/layer_helper.py b/python/paddle/v2/framework/layer_helper.py
index 6615bdcd3b1afa493c9ad05c789664818e64d2f2..90540e0336e4caec56e6ee01539704a42b1f627a 100644
--- a/python/paddle/v2/framework/layer_helper.py
+++ b/python/paddle/v2/framework/layer_helper.py
@@ -139,7 +139,9 @@ class LayerHelper(object):
             type='elementwise_add',
             inputs={'X': [input_var],
                     'Y': [b]},
-            outputs={'Out': [tmp]})
+            outputs={'Out': [tmp]},
+            # for rowwise add, we should set axis 1
+            attr={'axis': 1})
         return tmp
 
     def append_activation(self, input_var):