diff --git a/src/openeo_processes/cubes.py b/src/openeo_processes/cubes.py
index 1d272161..5b31178a 100644
--- a/src/openeo_processes/cubes.py
+++ b/src/openeo_processes/cubes.py
@@ -2061,7 +2061,9 @@ def predict_random_forest():
 class PredictRandomForest:
 
     @staticmethod
-    def exec_xar(data, model, dimension, client = None):
+    def exec_xar(data, model, dimension, client = None, input_filepath = None):
+        if isinstance(model, str):
+            model = load_ml_model(model, input_filepath = input_filepath)
         if dimension in ['time', 't', 'times']:  # time dimension must be converted into values
             dimension = get_time_dimension_from_data(data, dimension)
         predictor_cols = list(data.dims)