diff --git a/calphy/helpers.py b/calphy/helpers.py
index 344ad72..ca23f15 100644
--- a/calphy/helpers.py
+++ b/calphy/helpers.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def create_object(cores, directory, timestep, cmdargs=None,
     lmp : LammpsLibrary object
     """
     lmp = LammpsLibrary(
-        mode="local", cores=cores, working_directory=directory, cmdargs=cmdargs
+        cores=cores, working_directory=directory, cmdargs=cmdargs
     )
 
     commands = [["units", "metal"], 
diff --git a/calphy/lattice.py b/calphy/lattice.py
index b8e9689..02285ec 100644
--- a/calphy/lattice.py
+++ b/calphy/lattice.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def check_dump_file(infile):
 
 def check_data_file(infile):
     try:
-        lmp = LammpsLibrary(mode="local", cores=1, 
+        lmp = LammpsLibrary(cores=1, 
             working_directory=os.getcwd())
         lmp.units("metal")
         lmp.boundary("p p p")