diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py b/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py
index 618908ed9..104e4b2c5 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/cartesia/stt.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class CartesiaSTTService(STTService):
             )
 
         self._settings = merged_options
-        self.set_model_name(merged_options["model"])
+        self.set_model_name(merged_options.model)
         self._api_key = api_key
         self._base_url = base_url or "api.cartesia.ai"
         self._connection = None