diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
index 69220ae2b9..2a0626c590 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class TestCarModelBase(unittest.TestCase):
         car_fw = msg.carParams.carFw
         if msg.carParams.openpilotLongitudinalControl:
           experimental_long = True
-        if cls.platform is None and not cls.ci:
+        if cls.platform is None and not cls.test_route_on_bucket:
           live_fingerprint = msg.carParams.carFingerprint
           cls.platform = MIGRATION.get(live_fingerprint, live_fingerprint)
 
diff --git a/tools/car_porting/test_car_model.py b/tools/car_porting/test_car_model.py
index b4d263667c..5f8294fd3c 100755
--- a/tools/car_porting/test_car_model.py
+++ b/tools/car_porting/test_car_model.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ def create_test_models_suite(routes: list[CarTestRoute], ci=False) -> unittest.T
   test_suite = unittest.TestSuite()
   for test_route in routes:
     # create new test case and discover tests
-    test_case_args = {"car_model": test_route.car_model, "test_route": test_route, "ci": ci}
+    test_case_args = {"platform": test_route.car_model, "test_route": test_route, "test_route_on_bucket": ci}
     CarModelTestCase = type("CarModelTestCase", (TestCarModel,), test_case_args)
     test_suite.addTest(unittest.TestLoader().loadTestsFromTestCase(CarModelTestCase))
   return test_suite