diff --git a/encoding/models/nested_cv.py b/encoding/models/nested_cv.py
index afa0d97..0d38fac 100644
--- a/encoding/models/nested_cv.py
+++ b/encoding/models/nested_cv.py
@@ -87,6 +87,9 @@ def fit_predict(
                 device = "mps:0"
             elif torch.cuda.is_available():
                 device = "cuda"
+            else:
+                # if no GPU is available, fall back to CPU
+                device = "cpu"
         else:
              device = "cpu"
         logger.info(f"Using device: {device}")