diff --git a/src/qibocal/auto/operation.py b/src/qibocal/auto/operation.py
index 81945f14a..00ef0529f 100644
--- a/src/qibocal/auto/operation.py
+++ b/src/qibocal/auto/operation.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import inspect
 import json
 import time
+from copy import deepcopy
 from dataclasses import asdict, dataclass
 from functools import wraps
 from typing import Callable, Generic, NewType, Optional, TypeVar, Union
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ class Parameters:
     """Wait time for the qubit to decohere back to the `gnd` state"""
 
     @classmethod
-    def load(cls, parameters):
+    def load(cls, input_parameters):
         """Load parameters from runcard.
 
         Possibly looking into previous steps outputs.
@@ -87,10 +88,12 @@ def load(cls, parameters):
             the linked outputs
 
         """
-        for parameter, value in DEFAULT_PARENT_PARAMETERS.items():
-            DEFAULT_PARENT_PARAMETERS[parameter] = parameters.pop(parameter, value)
+        default_parent_parameters = deepcopy(DEFAULT_PARENT_PARAMETERS)
+        parameters = deepcopy(input_parameters)
+        for parameter, value in default_parent_parameters.items():
+            default_parent_parameters[parameter] = parameters.pop(parameter, value)
         instantiated_class = cls(**parameters)
-        for parameter, value in DEFAULT_PARENT_PARAMETERS.items():
+        for parameter, value in default_parent_parameters.items():
             setattr(instantiated_class, parameter, value)
         return instantiated_class
 
diff --git a/src/qibocal/auto/task.py b/src/qibocal/auto/task.py
index ce82fad36..c4a700182 100644
--- a/src/qibocal/auto/task.py
+++ b/src/qibocal/auto/task.py
@@ -135,6 +135,12 @@ def run(
         task_qubits = self._allocate_local_qubits(qubits, platform)
 
         try:
+            if self.parameters.nshots is None:
+                self.action.parameters["nshots"] = platform.settings.nshots
+            if self.parameters.relaxation_time is None:
+                self.action.parameters[
+                    "relaxation_time"
+                ] = platform.settings.relaxation_time
             operation: Routine = self.operation
             parameters = self.parameters
         except RuntimeError:
diff --git a/tests/runcards/protocols.yml b/tests/runcards/protocols.yml
index f100f6c4a..891518cac 100644
--- a/tests/runcards/protocols.yml
+++ b/tests/runcards/protocols.yml
@@ -214,6 +214,15 @@ actions:
       pulse_length: 30
       nshots: 1024
 
+  - id: rabi without nshots
+    priority: 0
+    operation: rabi_amplitude
+    parameters:
+      min_amp_factor: 0.0
+      max_amp_factor: 4.0
+      step_amp_factor: 0.1
+      pulse_length: 30
+
   - id: rabi msr
     priority: 0
     operation: rabi_amplitude_msr