diff --git a/src/molecules/AutoPasSimpleMolecule.cpp b/src/molecules/AutoPasSimpleMolecule.cpp
index 553f21272..49150cd98 100644
--- a/src/molecules/AutoPasSimpleMolecule.cpp
+++ b/src/molecules/AutoPasSimpleMolecule.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ AutoPasSimpleMolecule::AutoPasSimpleMolecule(unsigned long id, Component* compon
 		_component = component;
 	} else if (_component != component and component != nullptr) {
 		Log::global_log->warning() << "AutoPasSimpleMolecule can only handle one component" << std::endl;
+		_component = component;
 		// mardyn_exit(32);
 	}
 }