diff --git a/gstlal-inspiral/python/svd_bank.py b/gstlal-inspiral/python/svd_bank.py
index 7c9a1ec3e7500761555803293147d97bbca418f9..5bafb4fe21d12cb5a744d15808c8bf28c2c169be 100644
--- a/gstlal-inspiral/python/svd_bank.py
+++ b/gstlal-inspiral/python/svd_bank.py
@@ -509,6 +509,7 @@ def read_banks(filename, contenthandler, verbose = False):
 
 		banks.append(bank)
 	template_id, func = horizon_distance_func(banks)
+	template_id = abs(template_id) # make sure horizon_distance_func did not pick the noise model template
 	horizon_norm = None
 	for bank in banks:
 		if template_id in bank.horizon_factors and bank.bank_type == "signal_model":