diff --git a/gplugins/tidy3d/component.py b/gplugins/tidy3d/component.py
index ec8d9523..6cedcc17 100644
--- a/gplugins/tidy3d/component.py
+++ b/gplugins/tidy3d/component.py
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ def get_component_modeler(
             case str():
                 cz = self.get_layer_center(center_z)[2]
             case None:
-                cz = self.center[2]
+                cz = np.mean(list({c[2] for c in self.port_centers}))
             case _:
                 raise ValueError(f"Invalid center_z: {center_z}")
 
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ def get_component_modeler(
             shutoff=shutoff,
         )
 
-        ports = self.get_ports(mode_spec, port_size_mult, cz)
+        ports = self.get_ports(mode_spec, port_size_mult)
 
         modeler = ComponentModeler(
             simulation=sim,