diff --git a/emodel_generalisation/__init__.py b/emodel_generalisation/__init__.py
index 711b77f..6bdbb04 100644
--- a/emodel_generalisation/__init__.py
+++ b/emodel_generalisation/__init__.py
@@ -22,23 +22,10 @@
 # pylint: disable=line-too-long
 import logging
 import os
-from pathlib import Path
 
 os.environ["NEURON_MODULE_OPTIONS"] = "-nogui"
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-_TMPDIR = os.environ.get("TMPDIR", None)
-if _TMPDIR is not None:
-    try:
-        import neuron
-
-        if (Path(_TMPDIR) / "x86_64").exists():
-            if not neuron.load_mechanisms(_TMPDIR):
-                raise Exception("Could not load mod files")
-    except Exception as exc:  # pylint: disable=broad-exception-caught
-        logger.debug("Could not load mod files from %s because of %s", _TMPDIR, exc)
-    os.environ["DASK_TEMPORARY_DIRECTORY"] = _TMPDIR
-
 
 PARAM_LABELS = {
     # passive
diff --git a/emodel_generalisation/model/nexus_converter.py b/emodel_generalisation/model/nexus_converter.py
index f2764f8..ee292ac 100644
--- a/emodel_generalisation/model/nexus_converter.py
+++ b/emodel_generalisation/model/nexus_converter.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 from copy import copy
 from pathlib import Path
 
+import neuron
 from tqdm import tqdm
 
 L = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -197,6 +198,19 @@ def convert_all_config(config_path, out_config_folder="config", mech_path="mecha
         json.dump(final, final_file, indent=4)
 
 
+def load_mechanisms():
+    """Load mechanisms if present in TMPDIR."""
+    _TMPDIR = os.environ.get("TMPDIR", None)
+    if _TMPDIR is not None:
+        try:
+            if (Path(_TMPDIR) / "x86_64").exists():
+                if not neuron.load_mechanisms(_TMPDIR):
+                    raise Exception("Could not load mod files")
+        except Exception as exc:  # pylint: disable=broad-exception-caught
+            L.debug("Could not load mod files from %s because of %s", _TMPDIR, exc)
+        os.environ["DASK_TEMPORARY_DIRECTORY"] = _TMPDIR
+
+
 def compile_mechanisms(mech_path="mechanisms", compiled_mech_path=None):
     """Compile mechanisms in custom location."""
     if compiled_mech_path is None:
@@ -208,3 +222,5 @@ def compile_mechanisms(mech_path="mechanisms", compiled_mech_path=None):
     os.chdir(compiled_mech_path)
     subprocess.run(f"nrnivmodl {mech_path}", shell=True, check=True)
     os.chdir(cwd)
+    # load mechs after compile
+    load_mechanisms()