diff --git a/inst/python/Estimator.py b/inst/python/Estimator.py
index 69ee153..c9ad8b3 100644
--- a/inst/python/Estimator.py
+++ b/inst/python/Estimator.py
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ def __init__(self, model, model_parameters, estimator_settings):
         self.best_score = None
         self.best_epoch = None
         self.learn_rate_schedule = None
-        if estimator_settings["compile"]:
+        torch_compile = estimator_settings.get("compile", False)
+        if torch_compile:
             self.model = torch.compile(self.model, dynamic=False)
 
     def fit(self, dataset, test_dataset):