diff --git a/api/src/opentrons/simulate.py b/api/src/opentrons/simulate.py
index 904392b869a..3f6609d9a12 100644
--- a/api/src/opentrons/simulate.py
+++ b/api/src/opentrons/simulate.py
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ def _make_hardware_simulator(
 
         return ThreadManager(OT3API.build_hardware_simulator)
     elif robot_type == "OT-2 Standard":
-        return ThreadManager(OT2API.build_hardware_controller)
+        return ThreadManager(OT2API.build_hardware_simulator)
 
 
 @contextlib.contextmanager