diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py
index 0a0ce4536f..3d18a48a93 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py
@@ -128,9 +128,9 @@ class ReferenceLoader(openpype.hosts.maya.api.plugin.ReferenceLoader):
             return new_nodes
 
     def load(self, context, name=None, namespace=None, options=None):
-        super(ReferenceLoader, self).load(context, name, namespace, options)
+        container = super(ReferenceLoader, self).load(context, name, namespace, options)
         # clean containers if present to AVALON_CONTAINERS
-        self._organize_containers(self[:])
+        self._organize_containers(self[:], container[0])
 
     def switch(self, container, representation):
         self.update(container, representation)
@@ -167,11 +167,11 @@ class ReferenceLoader(openpype.hosts.maya.api.plugin.ReferenceLoader):
             )
 
     @staticmethod
-    def _organize_containers(nodes):
-        # type: (list) -> None
+    def _organize_containers(nodes, container):
+        # type: (list, str) -> None
         for node in nodes:
             id_attr = "{}.id".format(node)
             if not cmds.attributeQuery("id", node=node, exists=True):
                 continue
             if cmds.getAttr(id_attr) == AVALON_CONTAINER_ID:
-                cmds.sets(node, forceElement=AVALON_CONTAINERS)
+                cmds.sets(node, forceElement=container)