diff --git a/lbmpy/lbstep.py b/lbmpy/lbstep.py
index aadcfa948307993c52c98c2e1a27a2e378b1ba5f..300dc66d8434cfb00bf0fdda32f424eb35b2d009 100644
--- a/lbmpy/lbstep.py
+++ b/lbmpy/lbstep.py
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ class LatticeBoltzmannStep:
             tuple (residuum, steps_run) if successful or raises ValueError if not converged
         """
         dh = self.data_handling
-        gpu = self._optimization['target'] == 'gpu'
+        gpu = self._gpu
 
         def on_first_call():
             self._velocity_init_vel_backup = 'velocity_init_vel_backup'