diff --git a/polymerist/polymers/monographs.py b/polymerist/polymers/monographs.py
index d785af6..c52e53c 100644
--- a/polymerist/polymers/monographs.py
+++ b/polymerist/polymers/monographs.py
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def _validate_start_node_idxs(self, start_node_idxs : Optional[Union[int, Sequen
 
         # 2) check that there exists a 1:1 mapping between the provided node collection and DISTINCT connected components
         cc_order_planner = DISCERNMENTSolver(nx.connected_components(self))
-        if not cc_order_planner.solution_exists(unique_bins=True):
+        if not cc_order_planner.solution_exists(start_node_idxs, unique_bins=True):
             raise ValueError('Starting node indices provided do not uniquely correspond to distinct chains')
         else:
             cc_order = next(cc_order_planner.enumerate_choices(start_node_idxs, unique_bins=True))