diff --git a/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py b/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py
index 254885000ee..fde196ea760 100644
--- a/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py
+++ b/api/src/opentrons/hardware_control/module_control.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ async def build_module(
         usb_port: types.USBPort,
         type: modules.ModuleType,
         sim_model: Optional[str] = None,
-        serial_number: Optional[str] = None,
+        sim_serial_number: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> modules.AbstractModule:
         return await modules.build(
             port=port,