diff --git a/scripts/simplify_network.py b/scripts/simplify_network.py
index 9ef2fc74..549824bc 100644
--- a/scripts/simplify_network.py
+++ b/scripts/simplify_network.py
@@ -141,15 +141,15 @@ def simplify_links(n):
             busmap.loc[buses] = b[np.r_[0, m.argmin(axis=0), 1]]
             all_links = [i for _, i in sum(links, [])]
 
-            s_max_pu = snakemake.config['links']['s_max_pu']
             name = n.links.loc[all_links, 'length'].idxmax() + '+{}'.format(len(links) - 1)
+            p_max_pu = snakemake.config['links'].get('p_max_pu', 1.)
             params = dict(
                 carrier='DC',
                 bus0=b[0], bus1=b[1],
                 length=sum(n.links.loc[[i for _, i in l], 'length'].mean() for l in links),
                 p_nom=min(n.links.loc[[i for _, i in l], 'p_nom'].sum() for l in links),
-                p_max_pu=s_max_pu,
-                p_min_pu=-s_max_pu,
+                p_max_pu=p_max_pu,
+                p_min_pu=-p_max_pu,
                 underground=False,
                 under_construction=False
             )