diff --git a/src/lbmpy/lbstep.py b/src/lbmpy/lbstep.py
index e7bb15b15cd7be50b1e5d662c93b6e2d58fec8e5..0f57dc376dfc4b502537fa8c92b9353005043b80 100644
--- a/src/lbmpy/lbstep.py
+++ b/src/lbmpy/lbstep.py
@@ -47,10 +47,8 @@ class LatticeBoltzmannStep:
         if config is not None:
             if IS_PYSTENCILS_2:
                 target = config.get_target()
-                is_gpu = target.is_gpu()
             else:
                 target = config.target
-                is_gpu = target == Target.GPU
         else:
             target = optimization.get('target', Target.CPU)
 
@@ -93,7 +91,11 @@ class LatticeBoltzmannStep:
         self.density_data_name = name + "_density" if density_data_name is None else density_data_name
         self.density_data_index = density_data_index
 
-        self._gpu = is_gpu
+        if IS_PYSTENCILS_2:
+            self._gpu = target.is_gpu()
+        else:
+            self._gpu = target == Target.GPU
+
         layout = lbm_optimisation.field_layout
 
         alignment = False