diff --git a/scripts/cp-dataset-histos.sh b/scripts/cp-dataset-histos.sh
index e912afa..a3dc1a9 100755
--- a/scripts/cp-dataset-histos.sh
+++ b/scripts/cp-dataset-histos.sh
@@ -4,20 +4,24 @@ set -euo pipefail
 #######################################################################################
 # This script automates the copying of histogram files from dataset directories
 # into a specified destination directory, while preserving the original directory
-# structure, like:
+# structure. For example:
+#   BASE_PATH:               '.../sim/IceCube/2023/generated'
+#   source dataset dir:      '.../sim/IceCube/2023/generated/neutrino-generator/22645'
+#   destination dataset dir: '$DEST_DIR/sim/IceCube/2023/generated/neutrino-generator/22645'
 #
 # Usage:
-#   ./copy-histograms.sh <BASE_PATH> <DEST_DIR>
+#   ./cp-dataset-histos.sh <BASE_PATH> <DEST_DIR> [--force]
 #
 # Arguments:
-#   <BASE_PATH> - The root path under which all dataset directories are located.
+#   <BASE_PATH> - The path under which all requested dataset directories are located.
 #   <DEST_DIR>  - Destination directory where histogram files will be copied.
+#   [--force]   - Optional flag to overwrite existing histogram files in the destination.
 #
 #######################################################################################
 
 # Check args
 if [ "$#" -lt 2 ]; then
-    echo "Usage: $0 <BASE_PATH> <DEST_DIR>"
+    echo "Usage: $0 <BASE_PATH> <DEST_DIR> [--force]"
     exit 1
 fi
 
@@ -25,11 +29,21 @@ BASE_PATH=$(realpath "$1")
 DEST_DIR=$(realpath "$2")
 SIM="sim"
 
+# Parse optional --force flag
+FORCE=false
+for arg in "$@"; do
+    if [[ $arg == "--force" ]]; then
+        FORCE=true
+        break
+    fi
+done
+
 # Ensure the destination directory exists
 mkdir -p "$DEST_DIR"
 
 #######################################################################################
 # Calculate the depth of dataset directories relative to BASE_PATH
+
 depth_to_datasets=$(python -m simprod_histogram.calc_depth_to_dataset_dirs "$BASE_PATH" 2>&1)
 
 #######################################################################################
@@ -39,7 +53,8 @@ cp_histo() {
     # Copies all histogram files (*.histo.hdf5) from a given dataset directory
     # to a destination directory, preserving the directory structure relative
     # to a specified base path (SIM). If multiple histogram files exist in the
-    # dataset directory, they are all copied.
+    # dataset directory, they are all copied. Existing files can be overwritten
+    # if the --force flag is specified.
     local src_dataset_dir="$1"
 
     # Check for histo files
@@ -61,17 +76,25 @@ cp_histo() {
     # Loop through all matching files and copy them
     local histo_file
     for histo_file in "${histo_files[@]}"; do
-        if [ -f "$dest_dataset_dir/$(basename "$histo_file")" ]; then
-            echo "Histogram file already exists at $dest_dataset_dir (will not overwrite)"
-        else
-            cp "$histo_file" "$dest_dataset_dir/"
-            echo "Copied $histo_file to $dest_dataset_dir"
+        local dest_file="$dest_dataset_dir/$(basename "$histo_file")"
+        # check if this overwrites a file
+        if [ -f "$dest_file" ]; then
+            if [ "$FORCE" == true ]; then
+                echo "Overwriting: $dest_file..."
+                # cp below
+            else
+                echo "Histogram file already exists at $dest_dataset_dir (will not overwrite)"
+                continue
+            fi
         fi
+        # cp!
+        cp "$histo_file" "$dest_file"
+        echo "Copied $histo_file to $dest_dataset_dir"
     done
 }
 
-export -f copy_histo_file
-export BASE_PATH DEST_DIR SIM
+export -f cp_histo
+export BASE_PATH DEST_DIR SIM FORCE
 
 # Use find with -exec to copy files from each dataset
 find "$BASE_PATH" \
diff --git a/scripts/cp-job-histos.sh b/scripts/cp-job-histos.sh
index 4db36da..f36ac78 100755
--- a/scripts/cp-job-histos.sh
+++ b/scripts/cp-job-histos.sh
@@ -42,9 +42,12 @@ DATASET_DIR=$(realpath "$1")
 
 # Determine if the --dryrun flag is provided
 DRYRUN=false
-if [ "$#" -gt 1 ] && [ "$2" == "--dryrun" ]; then
-    DRYRUN=true
-fi
+for arg in "$@"; do
+    if [[ $arg == "--dryrun" ]]; then
+        DRYRUN=true
+        break
+    fi
+done
 
 ########################################################################################