diff --git a/anastruct/fem/elements.py b/anastruct/fem/elements.py
index b204c41..a97fece 100644
--- a/anastruct/fem/elements.py
+++ b/anastruct/fem/elements.py
@@ -365,10 +365,8 @@ def constitutive_matrix(
         # [  c21      , c21 + 1/k2 ]]
         if 1 in spring and spring[1] != 0:  # not hinge
             matrix[1][1] = 1 / (1 / matrix[1][1] + 1 / spring[1])
-            matrix[2][1] = 1 / (1 / matrix[2][1] + 1 / spring[1])
         if 2 in spring and spring[2] != 0:  # not hinge
-            matrix[2][1] = 1 / (1 / matrix[2][1] + 1 / spring[2])
-            matrix[1][2] = 1 / (1 / matrix[1][2] + 1 / spring[2])
+            matrix[2][2] = 1 / (1 / matrix[2][2] + 1 / spring[2])
 
     return matrix
 
diff --git a/tests/test_constitutive_matrix.py b/tests/test_constitutive_matrix.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cbea3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_constitutive_matrix.py
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import unittest
+
+import numpy as np
+
+from anastruct.fem.elements import constitutive_matrix
+
+
+class TestConstitutiveMatrixSprings(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_symmetric_with_springs_on_both_nodes(self):
+        # A linear-elastic element's constitutive matrix must be symmetric,
+        # spring release or not.
+        matrix = constitutive_matrix(
+            EA=1e9,
+            EI=15000.0,
+            l=4.0,
+            spring={1: 1000.0, 2: 2000.0},
+            node_1_hinge=False,
+            node_2_hinge=False,
+        )
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix, matrix.T)
+
+    def test_spring_reduces_only_its_own_node_diagonal_term(self):
+        # A rotational spring in series with the beam's own rotational
+        # stiffness should only soften that node's diagonal term (per the
+        # flexibility matrix in the function's own comment); the
+        # off-diagonal (moment/rotation coupling) term is unaffected.
+        EI, l = 15000.0, 4.0
+        k1, k2 = 1000.0, 2000.0
+
+        matrix = constitutive_matrix(
+            EA=1e9,
+            EI=EI,
+            l=l,
+            spring={1: k1, 2: k2},
+            node_1_hinge=False,
+            node_2_hinge=False,
+        )
+
+        c11_expected = 1 / (1 / (4 * EI / l) + 1 / k1)
+        c22_expected = 1 / (1 / (4 * EI / l) + 1 / k2)
+
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[1][1], c11_expected)
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[2][2], c22_expected)
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[1][2], -2 * EI / l)
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[2][1], -2 * EI / l)
+
+    def test_spring_at_node_2_only(self):
+        # Regression test: a spring at node 2 alone used to leave
+        # matrix[2][2] untouched and corrupt the off-diagonal terms instead.
+        EI, l = 15000.0, 4.0
+        k2 = 2000.0
+
+        matrix = constitutive_matrix(
+            EA=1e9,
+            EI=EI,
+            l=l,
+            spring={2: k2},
+            node_1_hinge=False,
+            node_2_hinge=False,
+        )
+
+        c22_expected = 1 / (1 / (4 * EI / l) + 1 / k2)
+
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[1][1], 4 * EI / l)
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[2][2], c22_expected)
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[1][2], -2 * EI / l)
+        np.testing.assert_allclose(matrix[2][1], -2 * EI / l)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()