diff --git a/multiarea_model/simulation.py b/multiarea_model/simulation.py
index 2b3f8dba2a37734c99c4a651f32d9831f5b22e0a..1615c86bcd3aad17bf4bd20fb337c487a0dd9fab 100644
--- a/multiarea_model/simulation.py
+++ b/multiarea_model/simulation.py
@@ -312,9 +312,9 @@ class Simulation:
         Use NEST's memory wrapper function to record used memory.
         """
         try:
-            mem = nest.sli_func('memory_thisjob')
-        except AttributeError:
             mem = nest.ll_api.sli_func('memory_thisjob')
+        except AttributeError:
+            mem = nest.sli_func('memory_thisjob')
         if isinstance(mem, dict):
             return mem['heap']
         else: