diff --git a/tom_dataproducts/data_processor.py b/tom_dataproducts/data_processor.py
index 71dde5bd..1bf7eaac 100644
--- a/tom_dataproducts/data_processor.py
+++ b/tom_dataproducts/data_processor.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 DEFAULT_DATA_PROCESSOR_CLASS = 'tom_dataproducts.data_processor.DataProcessor'
 
 
-def run_data_processor(dp):
+def run_data_processor(dp, dp_type_override=None):
     """
     Reads the `data_product_type` from the dp parameter and imports the corresponding `DATA_PROCESSORS` specified in
     `settings.py`, then runs `process_data` and inserts the returned values into the database.
@@ -22,12 +22,16 @@ def run_data_processor(dp):
     :param dp: DataProduct which will be processed into a list
     :type dp: DataProduct
 
+    :param dp_type_override: Optional. DataProduct type to override with. If None, the
+    type from the `dp` object is used.
+    :type dp_type_override: str, optional
+
     :returns: QuerySet of `ReducedDatum` objects created by the `run_data_processor` call
     :rtype: `QuerySet` of `ReducedDatum`
     """
-
+    data_type = dp_type_override or dp.data_product_type
     try:
-        processor_class = settings.DATA_PROCESSORS[dp.data_product_type]
+        processor_class = settings.DATA_PROCESSORS[data_type]
     except Exception:
         processor_class = DEFAULT_DATA_PROCESSOR_CLASS
 
@@ -41,7 +45,7 @@ def run_data_processor(dp):
     data_processor = clazz()
     # data returned by process_data is a list of 3-tuples: (timestamp, datum, source)
     data = data_processor.process_data(dp)
-    data_type = data_processor.data_type_override() or dp.data_product_type
+    data_type = data_processor.data_type_override() or data_type
 
     # Add only the new (non-duplicate) ReducedDatum objects to the database