diff --git a/src/alignment/model_utils.py b/src/alignment/model_utils.py
index 122da3cd..1115b672 100644
--- a/src/alignment/model_utils.py
+++ b/src/alignment/model_utils.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def get_tokenizer(
 
     if data_args.chat_template is not None:
         tokenizer.chat_template = data_args.chat_template
-    elif auto_set_chat_template and tokenizer.chat_template is None and tokenizer.default_chat_template is None:
+    elif auto_set_chat_template and tokenizer.get_chat_template() is None:
         tokenizer.chat_template = DEFAULT_CHAT_TEMPLATE
 
     return tokenizer