diff --git a/GPy/core/parameterization/parameterized.py b/GPy/core/parameterization/parameterized.py
index 94aa6573..10956dc7 100644
--- a/GPy/core/parameterization/parameterized.py
+++ b/GPy/core/parameterization/parameterized.py
@@ -172,8 +172,7 @@ class Parameterized(Parameterizable):
                 if not isinstance(param,Tie):
                     self._highest_parent_.ties.mergeTies(param)
             else:
-                if hasattr(self._highest_parent_,'ties'):
-                    self._highest_parent_.ties._update_label_buf()
+                self._highest_parent_.ties._update_label_buf()
         else:
             raise HierarchyError, """Parameter exists already, try making a copy"""
 
@@ -221,8 +220,7 @@ class Parameterized(Parameterizable):
             if not isinstance(param,Tie):
                 self._highest_parent_.ties.splitTies(param)
         else:
-            if hasattr(self._highest_parent_,'ties'):
-                self._highest_parent_.ties._update_label_buf()
+            self._highest_parent_.ties._update_label_buf()
 
     def add_parameter(self, *args, **kwargs):
         raise DeprecationWarning, "add_parameter was renamed to link_parameter to avoid confusion of setting variables"
diff --git a/GPy/core/parameterization/ties_and_remappings.py b/GPy/core/parameterization/ties_and_remappings.py
index eef63118..77b4dc68 100644
--- a/GPy/core/parameterization/ties_and_remappings.py
+++ b/GPy/core/parameterization/ties_and_remappings.py
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class Tie(Parameterized):
                 p.ties.tied_param.tie[:] = labels
                 p.ties._sync_val([p],toTiedParam=True)
                 p.ties._sync_constraints([p], toTiedParam=True)
-            p._update_label_buf()
+            p.ties._update_label_buf()
             p.update_model(True)
 
     def mergeTies(self, p):
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ class Tie(Parameterized):
                 p.tied_param.tie[:] = self.tied_param.tie[idx]
             self._remove_unnecessary_ties()
             self._update_label_buf()
-            p._update_label_buf()
+            p.ties._update_label_buf()
             self.update_model(True)
         
     def _traverse_param(self, func, p, res):