diff --git a/openpilot/sunnypilot/models/default_model.py b/openpilot/sunnypilot/models/default_model.py
index 128426979b..a8e55f8e69 100755
--- a/openpilot/sunnypilot/models/default_model.py
+++ b/openpilot/sunnypilot/models/default_model.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from openpilot.sunnypilot.models.model_name import DEFAULT_MODEL, DEFAULT_BIG_MO
 
 
 def get_default_model() -> str:
-  show_big_model = (ui_state.usbgpu and ui_state.usbgpu_compiled
+  show_big_model = (ui_state.usbgpu
                     and (ui_state.usbgpu_active or ui_state.usbgpu_loading or ui_state.is_offroad()))
 
   return DEFAULT_BIG_MODEL if show_big_model else DEFAULT_MODEL
diff --git a/openpilot/sunnypilot/sunnylink/athena/sunnylinkd.py b/openpilot/sunnypilot/sunnylink/athena/sunnylinkd.py
index 27be6e24ed..3425a85624 100755
--- a/openpilot/sunnypilot/sunnylink/athena/sunnylinkd.py
+++ b/openpilot/sunnypilot/sunnylink/athena/sunnylinkd.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from websocket import (ABNF, WebSocket, WebSocketException, WebSocketTimeoutExce
                        create_connection, WebSocketConnectionClosedException)
 
 import openpilot.cereal.messaging as messaging
-from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.helpers import usbgpu_present, usbgpu_compiled
+from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.helpers import usbgpu_present
 from openpilot.sunnypilot.models.model_name import DEFAULT_MODEL, DEFAULT_BIG_MODEL
 from openpilot.sunnypilot.selfdrive.car.sync_sunnylink_params import update_car_list_param
 from openpilot.sunnypilot.sunnylink.api import SunnylinkApi
@@ -183,9 +183,10 @@ def getParamsMetadata() -> str:
     schema["capabilities"] = generate_capabilities()
     schema["capability_labels"] = CAPABILITY_LABELS
     # mirrors get_default_model() — ui_state unavailable in sunnylinkd process
-    show_big = (usbgpu_present() and usbgpu_compiled()
+    show_big = (usbgpu_present()
                 and (params.get_bool("UsbGpuActive") or params.get_bool("UsbGpuLoading") or params.get_bool("IsOffroad")))
     schema["default_model"] = DEFAULT_BIG_MODEL if show_big else DEFAULT_MODEL
+    schema["usbgpu_active"] = params.get_bool("UsbGpuActive")
     raw = json.dumps(schema, separators=(",", ":")).encode("utf-8")
     return base64.b64encode(gzip.compress(raw)).decode("utf-8")
   except Exception: