diff --git a/src/pymadng/madp_classes.py b/src/pymadng/madp_classes.py
index 402f0bb..d66bb82 100644
--- a/src/pymadng/madp_classes.py
+++ b/src/pymadng/madp_classes.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import warnings # To warn the user when they try to deepcopy a mad_ref
 from typing import Iterable, Union, Any  # To make stuff look nicer
 import numpy as np
 from .madp_pymad import mad_process, mad_ref, type_str, is_private
@@ -94,6 +95,17 @@ def __dir__(self) -> Iterable[str]:
     """)
     return [x for x in self._mad.recv() if isinstance(x, str) and x[0] != "_"]
 
+  def __deepcopy__(self, memo):
+    val = self.eval()
+    if isinstance(val, list):
+      for i, v in enumerate(val):
+        if isinstance(v, mad_ref):
+          val[i] = v.__deepcopy__(memo)
+    elif isinstance(val, type(self)) and val._name == self._name:
+      warnings.warn("An attempt to deepcopy a mad_ref has been made, this is not supported and will result in a copy of the reference.")
+    return val
+
+
 
 class madhl_obj(madhl_ref):
   def __dir__(self) -> Iterable[str]:
diff --git a/src/pymadng/madp_pymad.py b/src/pymadng/madp_pymad.py
index 4b4015c..826c628 100644
--- a/src/pymadng/madp_pymad.py
+++ b/src/pymadng/madp_pymad.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import struct, os, subprocess, sys, select, warnings, io
+import struct, os, subprocess, sys, select
 from typing import Union, Callable, Any
 import numpy as np
 
@@ -178,17 +178,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, item: Union[str, int]):
   def eval(self):
     return self._mad.recv_vars(self._name)
   
-  def __deepcopy__(self, memo):
-
-    val = self.eval()
-    if isinstance(val, list):
-      for i, v in enumerate(val):
-        if isinstance(v, mad_ref):
-          val[i] = v.__deepcopy__(memo)
-    elif isinstance(val, type(self)) and val._name == self._name:
-      warnings.warn("An attempt to deepcopy a mad_ref has been made, this is not supported and will result in a copy of the reference.")
-    return val
-
 # data transfer -------------------------------------------------------------- #
 
 # Data ----------------------------------------------------------------------- #