diff --git a/src/finn/transformation/general.py b/src/finn/transformation/general.py
index 55bf899cf54268254d8cecdadae9970711f92077..0299f13889956bfeaf908e0c79d47f74560c2e73 100644
--- a/src/finn/transformation/general.py
+++ b/src/finn/transformation/general.py
@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
-import copy
-
-
 def give_unique_node_names(model):
     """Give unique names to each node in the graph using enumeration."""
-    new_model = copy.deepcopy(model)
     node_count = 0
-    for n in new_model.graph.node:
+    for n in model.graph.node:
         n.name = "%s_%d" % (n.op_type, node_count)
         node_count += 1
     # return model_was_changed = False as single iteration is always enough
-    return (new_model, False)
+    return (model, False)