diff --git a/src/progpy/composite_model.py b/src/progpy/composite_model.py
index 1ffe6e4..f8542ef 100644
--- a/src/progpy/composite_model.py
+++ b/src/progpy/composite_model.py
@@ -206,32 +206,29 @@ def __setstate__(self, params: dict) -> None:
         # These callbacks will enable setting of parameters in composed models.
         # E.g., composite.parameters['abc.def'] will set parameter 'def' for composed model 'abc'
         class PassthroughParams():
-            def __init__(self, models, model_name, key):
-                self.models = models
+            def __init__(self, model_name, model_index, key):
                 self.model_name = model_name
                 self.key = key
-                i = 0
-                for (name, m) in models:
-                    if name == model_name:
-                        break
-                    i+= 1
-                self.model_index = i
+                self.model_index = model_index
                 self.combined_key = self.model_name + '.' + self.key
 
             def __call__(self, params: dict) -> dict:
                 params['models'][self.model_index][1].parameters[self.key] = params[self.combined_key]
                 return {}
         
-        for (name, m) in params['models']:
-            # TODO(CT): TRY JUST SAVING NAME
+        for (model_index, (name, m)) in enumerate(params['models']):
             for key in m.parameters.keys():
                 combined_key = name + '.' + key
                 if combined_key in self.param_callbacks:
-                    self.param_callbacks[combined_key].append(PassthroughParams(params['models'], name, key))
+                    self.param_callbacks[combined_key].append(PassthroughParams(name, model_index, key))
                 else:
-                    self.param_callbacks[combined_key] = [PassthroughParams(params['models'], name, key)]
+                    self.param_callbacks[combined_key] = [PassthroughParams(name, model_index, key)]
 
-        return super().__setstate__(params)
+        ms = params.pop('models')  # remove from parameters to avoid copying
+        result =  super().__setstate__(params)
+        params['models'] = ms
+        self.parameters.__setitem__('models', ms, _copy=False)
+        return result
 
     def initialize(self, u=None, z=None):
         if u is None: