diff --git a/configs/splash2/run.mpy b/configs/splash2/run.py
similarity index 55%
rename from configs/splash2/run.mpy
rename to configs/splash2/run.py
index 800bff6f8..2ecdf3fc1 100644
--- a/configs/splash2/run.mpy
+++ b/configs/splash2/run.py
@@ -1,3 +1,32 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2005 The Regents of The University of Michigan
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+# met: redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+# notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer;
+# redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+# notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+# documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution;
+# neither the name of the copyright holders nor the names of its
+# contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+# this software without specific prior written permission.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+# "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+# LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+# OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+# SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+# LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+# DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+# THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+# (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+# OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+#
+# Authors: Ron Dreslinski
+
+from m5 import *
 import Splash2
 
 if 'SYSTEM' not in env:
diff --git a/python/m5/config.py b/python/m5/config.py
index 5da1ba934..0aac595b1 100644
--- a/python/m5/config.py
+++ b/python/m5/config.py
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ class MetaSimObject(type):
                 e.args = (msg, )
                 raise
         # I would love to get rid of this
-        elif isSimObject(value) or isSimObjSequence(value) or isParamContext(value):
+        elif isSimObject(value) or isSimObjSequence(value):
            cls._values[attr] = value
         else:
             raise AttributeError, \
@@ -334,12 +334,15 @@ class SimObject(object):
                 e.args = (msg, )
                 raise
         # I would love to get rid of this
-        elif isSimObject(value) or isSimObjSequence(value) or isParamContext(value):
+        elif isSimObject(value) or isSimObjSequence(value):
             pass
         else:
             raise AttributeError, "Class %s has no parameter %s" \
                   % (self.__class__.__name__, attr)
 
+        # clear out old child with this name, if any
+        self.clear_child(attr)
+
         if isSimObject(value):
             value.set_path(self, attr)
         elif isSimObjSequence(value):
@@ -355,6 +358,16 @@ class SimObject(object):
             return self
         raise TypeError, "Non-zero index '%s' to SimObject" % key
 
+    # clear out children with given name, even if it's a vector
+    def clear_child(self, name):
+        if not self._children.has_key(name):
+            return
+        child = self._children[name]
+        if isinstance(child, SimObjVector):
+            for i in xrange(len(child)):
+                del self._children["s%d" % (name, i)]
+        del self._children[name]
+
     def add_child(self, name, value):
         self._children[name] = value