diff --git a/hnn_core/network_builder.py b/hnn_core/network_builder.py
index dbd8b501b..ce268db97 100644
--- a/hnn_core/network_builder.py
+++ b/hnn_core/network_builder.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 from .cell import _ArtificialCell
 from .pyramidal import L2Pyr, L5Pyr
 from .basket import L2Basket, L5Basket
-from .params import create_pext
 
 # a few globals
 _PC = None
@@ -309,13 +308,13 @@ def _build(self):
 
         # Create a h.Vector() with size 1xself.N_t, zero'd
         self.current = {
-            'L5_pyramidal_soma': h.Vector(self.net.n_times, 0),
-            'L2_pyramidal_soma': h.Vector(self.net.n_times, 0),
+            'L5_pyramidal_soma': h.Vector(n_times, 0),
+            'L2_pyramidal_soma': h.Vector(n_times, 0),
         }
 
         self.dipoles = {
-            'L5_pyramidal': h.Vector(self.net.n_times, 0),
-            'L2_pyramidal': h.Vector(self.net.n_times, 0),
+            'L5_pyramidal': h.Vector(n_times, 0),
+            'L2_pyramidal': h.Vector(n_times, 0),
         }
 
         self._gid_assign()
diff --git a/hnn_core/tests/test_parallel_backends.py b/hnn_core/tests/test_parallel_backends.py
index da792abd2..ab6eec5df 100644
--- a/hnn_core/tests/test_parallel_backends.py
+++ b/hnn_core/tests/test_parallel_backends.py
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ def run_hnn_core(backend=None, n_procs=None, n_jobs=1, reduced=False):
                        'N_trials': 2})
     net = Network(params)
 
-    # two trials simulated
-    assert len(net_reduced.trial_event_times) == params_reduced['N_trials']
+    # number of trials simulated
+    assert len(net.trial_event_times) == params['N_trials']
 
     if backend == 'mpi':
         with MPIBackend(n_procs=n_procs, mpi_cmd='mpiexec'):