diff --git a/corrlib/toml.py b/corrlib/toml.py
index def5394..abb5545 100644
--- a/corrlib/toml.py
+++ b/corrlib/toml.py
@@ -29,12 +29,11 @@ def replace_in_meas(measurements: dict, vars: dict[str, str]):
     for name, value in vars.items():
         for m in measurements.keys():
             for key in measurements[m].keys():
-                measurements[m][key] = replace_string(measurements[m][key], name, value)
-    # replace ensemble name
-    for m in measurements.keys():
-            for key in measurements[m].keys():
-                if not key == 'ensemble':
-                    measurements[m][key] = replace_string(measurements[m][key], 'ensemble', measurements[m]['ensemble'])
+                if isinstance(measurements[m][key], str):
+                    measurements[m][key] = replace_string(measurements[m][key], name, value)
+                elif isinstance(measurements[m][key], list):
+                    for i in range(len(measurements[m][key])):
+                        measurements[m][key][i] = replace_string(measurements[m][key][i], name, value)
     return measurements
 
 def fill_cons(measurements, constants):