diff --git a/source/tests/pt/test_loss.py b/source/tests/pt/test_loss.py
index 0b1358150f..72ea961c37 100644
--- a/source/tests/pt/test_loss.py
+++ b/source/tests/pt/test_loss.py
@@ -88,6 +88,11 @@ def setUp(self):
             atom_pref = rng.random(size=[batch_size, nloc * 3])
             drdq = rng.random(size=[batch_size, nloc * 2 * 3])
             atom_ener_coeff = rng.random(size=[batch_size, nloc])
+            # placeholders
+            l_force_real = l_force
+            l_force_mag = l_force
+            p_force_real = p_force
+            p_force_mag = p_force
         else:
             # data
             np_batch, pt_batch = get_batch(
@@ -129,6 +134,9 @@ def setUp(self):
             drdq = rng.random(size=[batch_size, nloc * 2 * 3])
             atom_ener_coeff = rng.random(size=[batch_size, nloc])
             self.nloc_tf = nloc
+            natoms = natoms_tf
+            l_force = l_force_merge_tf
+            p_force = p_force_merge_tf
 
         # tf
         self.g = tf.Graph()
@@ -181,13 +189,13 @@ def setUp(self):
 
         self.feed_dict = {
             t_cur_lr: self.cur_lr,
-            t_natoms: natoms if not self.spin else natoms_tf,
+            t_natoms: natoms,
             t_penergy: p_energy,
-            t_pforce: p_force if not self.spin else p_force_merge_tf,
+            t_pforce: p_force,
             t_pvirial: p_virial.reshape(-1, 9),
             t_patom_energy: p_atom_energy,
             t_lenergy: l_energy,
-            t_lforce: l_force if not self.spin else l_force_merge_tf,
+            t_lforce: l_force,
             t_lvirial: l_virial.reshape(-1, 9),
             t_latom_energy: l_atom_energy,
             t_atom_pref: atom_pref,