diff --git a/subworkflows/local/longread_hostremoval.nf b/subworkflows/local/longread_hostremoval.nf
index fb79e12..5f3f746 100644
--- a/subworkflows/local/longread_hostremoval.nf
+++ b/subworkflows/local/longread_hostremoval.nf
@@ -44,9 +44,8 @@ workflow LONGREAD_HOSTREMOVAL {
     SAMTOOLS_INDEX ( SAMTOOLS_VIEW.out.bam )
     ch_versions      = ch_versions.mix( SAMTOOLS_INDEX.out.versions.first() )
 
-    SAMTOOLS_VIEW.out.bam
-        .join(SAMTOOLS_INDEX.out.bai, by: [0], remainder: true)
-        .set { bam_bai }
+    bam_bai = SAMTOOLS_VIEW.out.bam
+        .join(SAMTOOLS_INDEX.out.bai, remainder: true)
 
     SAMTOOLS_STATS ( bam_bai, reference )
     ch_versions = ch_versions.mix(SAMTOOLS_STATS.out.versions.first())