diff --git a/mrdna/arbdmodel/__init__.py b/mrdna/arbdmodel/__init__.py
index 17082119bd78e8b9a9e2e82a01972cc37f1b6339..b5d894beb4364d551ffdc536790cb548496a657c 100644
--- a/mrdna/arbdmodel/__init__.py
+++ b/mrdna/arbdmodel/__init__.py
@@ -341,7 +341,12 @@ class ParticleType():
     def __init__(self, name, charge=0, parent=None, **kargs):
         """ Parent type is used to fall back on for nonbonded interactions if this type is not specifically referenced """
 
-        self.name        = name
+        if parent is not None:
+            for k,v in parent.__dict__.items():
+                if k not in ParticleType.excludedAttributes:
+                    self.__dict__[k] = v
+
+        self.name   = name
         self.charge = charge
         self.parent = parent