diff --git a/cirro/helpers/preprocess_dataset.py b/cirro/helpers/preprocess_dataset.py
index 28b4d465..41388af4 100644
--- a/cirro/helpers/preprocess_dataset.py
+++ b/cirro/helpers/preprocess_dataset.py
@@ -111,7 +111,8 @@ def remove_param(self, name: str, force=False):
             f"Cannot remove parameter {name}, does not exist (and force=False)"
 
         self.logger.info(f"Removing parameter {name}")
-        del self.params[name]
+        if name in self.params:
+            del self.params[name]
 
         self.logger.info("Saving parameters")
         _write_json(self.params, "nextflow.json")