This study investigates the effects of the flooding of the gas diffusion layer (GDL), as a result of liquid water accumulation, on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The transient profiles of the current generated by the cell are obtained using the numerical resolution of the transport equation for the oxygen molar concentration in the unsteady state. The dynamics of the system are captured through the reduction of the effective porosity of the GDL by the liquid water which accumulates in the void space of the GDL. The effects of the GDL porosity, GDL thickness and mass transfer at the GDL-gas channel interface on the evolution with time of the averaged current density are reported. The effects of the current collector rib on the evolution of the molar concentration of oxygen are also examined in detail. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.