diff --git a/src/user/user_composite.cc b/src/user/user_composite.cc
index 159fb15d..5f902986 100644
--- a/src/user/user_composite.cc
+++ b/src/user/user_composite.cc
@@ -360,7 +360,6 @@ bool mjCComposite::MakeParticle(mjCModel* model, mjCBody* body, char* error, int
         // add geom
         mjCGeom* g = b->AddGeom(def);
         g->def = body->def;
-        g->type = mjGEOM_SPHERE;
 
         // add plugin
         if (plugin_instance) {