diff --git a/pylib/anki/models.py b/pylib/anki/models.py
index fb08fd6f3..f7a287bf6 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/models.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/models.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ class ModelManager(DeprecatedNamesMixin):
                 self._update_cache(notetype)
             except NotFoundError:
                 return None
-        return notetype
+        return copy.deepcopy(notetype)
 
     def all(self) -> list[NotetypeDict]:
         "Get all models."