diff --git a/openmc/deplete/openmc_operator.py b/openmc/deplete/openmc_operator.py
index ad7a3924b7e..75f0925c4e7 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/openmc_operator.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/openmc_operator.py
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ def __init__(
 
         if diff_burnable_mats:
             self._differentiate_burnable_mats()
+            self.materials = self.model.materials
 
         # Determine which nuclides have cross section data
         # This nuclides variables contains every nuclides