diff --git a/common/params_pyx.pyx b/common/params_pyx.pyx
index 1c76e75846..93c550f22a 100644
--- a/common/params_pyx.pyx
+++ b/common/params_pyx.pyx
@@ -102,14 +102,14 @@ cdef class Params:
       return cast(value)
     raise TypeError(f"Type mismatch while writing param {key}: {proposed_type=} {expected_type=} {value=}")
 
-  def cpp2python(self, t, value, default, key):
+  def _cpp2python(self, t, value, default, key):
     if value is None:
       return None
     try:
       return CPP_2_PYTHON[t](value)
     except (KeyError, TypeError, ValueError):
       cloudlog.warning(f"Failed to cast param {key} with {value=} from type {t=}")
-      return self.cpp2python(t, default, None, key)
+      return self._cpp2python(t, default, None, key)
 
   def get(self, key, bool block=False, bool return_default=False):
     cdef string k = self.check_key(key)
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ cdef class Params:
         # it means we got an interrupt while waiting
         raise KeyboardInterrupt
       else:
-        return self.cpp2python(t, default_val, None, key)
-    return self.cpp2python(t, val, default_val, key)
+        return self._cpp2python(t, default_val, None, key)
+    return self._cpp2python(t, val, default_val, key)
 
   def get_bool(self, key, bool block=False):
     cdef string k = self.check_key(key)
@@ -188,4 +188,9 @@ cdef class Params:
     cdef string k = self.check_key(key)
     cdef ParamKeyType t = self.p.getKeyType(k)
     cdef optional[string] default = self.p.getKeyDefaultValue(k)
-    return self.cpp2python(t, default.value(), None, key) if default.has_value() else None
+    return self._cpp2python(t, default.value(), None, key) if default.has_value() else None
+
+  def cpp2python(self, key, value):
+    cdef string k = self.check_key(key)
+    cdef ParamKeyType t = self.p.getKeyType(k)
+    return self._cpp2python(t, value, None, key)
diff --git a/tools/clip/run.py b/tools/clip/run.py
index 20c55e1838..7920751447 100755
--- a/tools/clip/run.py
+++ b/tools/clip/run.py
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def populate_car_params(lr: LogReader):
   for cp in entries:
     key, value = cp.key, cp.value
     try:
-      params.put(key, value)
+      params.put(key, params.cpp2python(key, value))
     except UnknownKeyName:
       # forks of openpilot may have other Params keys configured. ignore these
       logger.warning(f"unknown Params key '{key}', skipping")