diff --git a/millipede/util.py b/millipede/util.py
index e6a8e62..a0bc76b 100644
--- a/millipede/util.py
+++ b/millipede/util.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def safe_cholesky(A, epsilon=1.0e-8):
     if A.shape == (1, 1):
         return A.sqrt()
     try:
-        return torch.linalg.cholesky(A)
+        return torch.linalg.cholesky(A, upper=False)
     except RuntimeError as e:
         Aprime = A.clone()
         jitter_prev = 0.0
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def safe_cholesky(A, epsilon=1.0e-8):
             Aprime.diagonal(dim1=-2, dim2=-1).add_(jitter_new - jitter_prev)
             jitter_prev = jitter_new
             try:
-                return torch.linalg.cholesky(Aprime)
+                return torch.linalg.cholesky(Aprime, upper=False)
             except RuntimeError:
                 continue
         raise e