diff --git a/rocketpy/environment/environment.py b/rocketpy/environment/environment.py
index 39ce18532..fd9a37410 100644
--- a/rocketpy/environment/environment.py
+++ b/rocketpy/environment/environment.py
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ def __initialize_elevation_and_max_height(self, elevation, max_expected_height):
         """Saves the elevation and the maximum expected height."""
         self.elevation = elevation
         self.set_elevation(elevation)
-        self._max_expected_height = max_expected_height
+        self.max_expected_height = max_expected_height
 
     def __initialize_date(self, date, timezone):
         """Saves the date and configure timezone."""
@@ -1411,7 +1411,7 @@ def process_custom_atmosphere(
         None
         """
         # Initialize an estimate of the maximum expected atmospheric model height
-        max_expected_height = 1000
+        max_expected_height = self.max_expected_height or 1000
 
         # Save pressure profile
         if pressure is None: