diff --git a/GPy/inference/latent_function_inference/inference_X.py b/GPy/inference/latent_function_inference/inference_X.py
index ff18680b..c34896d7 100644
--- a/GPy/inference/latent_function_inference/inference_X.py
+++ b/GPy/inference/latent_function_inference/inference_X.py
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ import numpy as np
 from ...core import Model
 from ...core.parameterization import variational
 
-def inference_newX(model, Y_new, optimize=True):
-    infr_m = Inference_X(model, Y_new)
+def inference_newX(model, Y_new, optimize=True, init='L2'):
+    infr_m = Inference_X(model, Y_new, init=init)
     
     if optimize:
         infr_m.optimize()
diff --git a/GPy/models/ss_gplvm.py b/GPy/models/ss_gplvm.py
index 34fff4a1..6237849f 100644
--- a/GPy/models/ss_gplvm.py
+++ b/GPy/models/ss_gplvm.py
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ class SSGPLVM(SparseGP_MPI):
         else:
             return dim_reduction_plots.plot_latent(self, plot_inducing=plot_inducing, *args, **kwargs)
         
-    def inference_X(self, Y_new, optimize=True):
+    def inference_X(self, Y_new, optimize=True, init='L2'):
         from ..inference.latent_function_inference.inference_X import inference_newX
-        return inference_newX(self, Y_new, optimize=optimize)
+        return inference_newX(self, Y_new, optimize=optimize, init=init)