diff --git a/js/models/Lattice.js b/js/models/Lattice.js
index c5e1abe73cf2662caa8d471e4689a6711e4c31ef..4e83df232bba1da6a0c96e0c16d2b845e2d269b3 100644
--- a/js/models/Lattice.js
+++ b/js/models/Lattice.js
@@ -386,6 +386,9 @@ Lattice = Backbone.Model.extend({
     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
     _updateLatticeType: function(arg1, arg2, arg3, loadingFromFile){//do not clear cells if loading from file (cells array contains important metadata)
+
+        this._setDefaultCellMode();
+
         if (typeof loadingFromFile == "undefined") loadingFromFile = false;
         var cellType = this.get("cellType");
         var connectionType = this.get("connectionType");
@@ -451,6 +454,12 @@ Lattice = Backbone.Model.extend({
         dmaGlobals.three.render();
     },
 
+    _setDefaultCellMode: function(){
+        if (!dmaGlobals.appState.get("allPartTypes")[this.get("cellType")][this.get("connectionType")]){
+            dmaGlobals.appState.set("cellMode", "cell");
+        }
+    },
+
     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
     ////////////////////////////////////UTILS///////////////////////////////////////////
     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////