diff --git a/modules/local/starfusion/download/main.nf b/modules/local/starfusion/download/main.nf
index 9c9b1482..ce55d3f6 100644
--- a/modules/local/starfusion/download/main.nf
+++ b/modules/local/starfusion/download/main.nf
@@ -4,9 +4,12 @@ process STARFUSION_DOWNLOAD {
     conda "bioconda::dfam=3.3 bioconda::hmmer=3.3.2 bioconda::star-fusion=1.12.0 bioconda::trinity=2.13.2 bioconda::samtools=1.9 bioconda::star=2.7.8a"
     container 'docker.io/trinityctat/starfusion:1.12.0'
 
+    input:
+    val meta
+
     output:
-    path "ctat_genome_lib_build_dir/*"            , emit: reference
-    path "ctat_genome_lib_build_dir/ref_annot.gtf", emit: chrgtf
+    path "ctat_genome_lib_build_dir/*"                              , emit: reference
+    tuple val(meta), path("ctat_genome_lib_build_dir/ref_annot.gtf"), emit: chrgtf
 
 
     script:
diff --git a/workflows/build_references.nf b/workflows/build_references.nf
index 0ebf3c08..f2625d33 100644
--- a/workflows/build_references.nf
+++ b/workflows/build_references.nf
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ workflow BUILD_REFERENCES {
         if (params.starfusion_build){
             STARFUSION_BUILD( ENSEMBL_DOWNLOAD.out.fasta, ENSEMBL_DOWNLOAD.out.chrgtf )
         } else {
-            STARFUSION_DOWNLOAD()
+            STARFUSION_DOWNLOAD( fake_meta )
         }
     }