diff --git a/emle/models/_emle.py b/emle/models/_emle.py
index 344faf1..7a23c0d 100644
--- a/emle/models/_emle.py
+++ b/emle/models/_emle.py
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ def __init__(
             aev_computer=self._aev_computer,
             aev_mask=aev_mask,
             alpha_mode=self._alpha_mode,
-            species=self._species,
+            species=params.get("species", self._species),
             device=device,
             dtype=dtype,
         )