diff --git a/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/parameters.py b/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/parameters.py
index 1b52f937..c11d1e6b 100644
--- a/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/parameters.py
+++ b/cdci_data_analysis/analysis/parameters.py
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
             kwargs['allowed_types'] = [int, float]
         
         if kwargs.get('default_type') is None:
-            val = kwargs['value'] if 'value' in kwargs.keys() else args[0]
+            val = kwargs.get('value', args[0])
             if type(val) in kwargs['allowed_types']:
                 kwargs['default_type'] = type(val)
             else: