diff --git a/deepspeed/runtime/config_utils.py b/deepspeed/runtime/config_utils.py
index c38431d9667c..d5c3a1548360 100755
--- a/deepspeed/runtime/config_utils.py
+++ b/deepspeed/runtime/config_utils.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def _deprecated_fields_check(self):
             if field_info.json_schema_extra and field_info.json_schema_extra.get("deprecated", False):
                 self._process_deprecated_field(field_name)
 
-    model_conf = ConfigDict(
+    model_config = ConfigDict(
         validate_default=True,
         validate_assignment=True,
         use_enum_values=True,