diff --git a/hera_cal/io.py b/hera_cal/io.py
index 03d5eb1a7..e7c82eaf9 100644
--- a/hera_cal/io.py
+++ b/hera_cal/io.py
@@ -1008,7 +1008,7 @@ def _set_subslice(data_array, bl, this_waterfall):
                 # explicitly handle cross-polarized autos
                 if bl[0] == bl[1]:
                     # ensure that we're not looking at (pseudo-)stokes visibilities
-                    if polstr2num(bl[2], x_orientation=self.x_orientation) < 0:
+                    if polstr2num(bl[2], x_orientation=self.telescope.x_orientation) < 0:
                         if utils.split_pol(bl[2])[0] != utils.split_pol(bl[2])[1]:
                             pol_reversed_bl = utils.reverse_bl(bl)
                             if pol_reversed_bl not in dc.keys():