diff --git a/python/mspasspy/db/database.py b/python/mspasspy/db/database.py
index f21eab37e..44c7ed816 100644
--- a/python/mspasspy/db/database.py
+++ b/python/mspasspy/db/database.py
@@ -7451,7 +7451,7 @@ def _construct_ensemble(
                         this_mdlist = file_dict[form]
                         for md in this_mdlist:
                             d = self._construct_atomic_object(
-                                this_mdl[0],
+                                md,
                                 object_type,
                                 merge_method,
                                 merge_fill_value,