diff --git a/intelmq/bin/intelmqctl.py b/intelmq/bin/intelmqctl.py
index 63d365bf9..4d2bd3455 100644
--- a/intelmq/bin/intelmqctl.py
+++ b/intelmq/bin/intelmqctl.py
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ def load_defaults_configuration(self, silent=False):
             elif value.isnumeric():
                 value = int(value)
 
-            setattr(self.parameters, option, value)
+            setattr(self._parameters, option, value)
 
     def run(self):
         results = None