diff --git a/src/batdetect2/config.py b/src/batdetect2/config.py
index 525f581..dddd48e 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/config.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/config.py
@@ -14,10 +14,7 @@ from batdetect2.models import ModelConfig
 from batdetect2.outputs import OutputsConfig
 from batdetect2.train.config import TrainingConfig
 
-__all__ = [
-    "BatDetect2Config",
-    "validate_config",
-]
+__all__ = ["BatDetect2Config"]
 
 
 class BatDetect2Config(BaseConfig):
@@ -32,10 +29,3 @@ class BatDetect2Config(BaseConfig):
     inference: InferenceConfig = Field(default_factory=InferenceConfig)
     outputs: OutputsConfig = Field(default_factory=OutputsConfig)
     logging: AppLoggingConfig = Field(default_factory=AppLoggingConfig)
-
-
-def validate_config(config: dict | None) -> BatDetect2Config:
-    if config is None:
-        return BatDetect2Config()
-
-    return BatDetect2Config.model_validate(config)
diff --git a/src/batdetect2/models/__init__.py b/src/batdetect2/models/__init__.py
index c09a0ba..cd1dc1f 100644
--- a/src/batdetect2/models/__init__.py
+++ b/src/batdetect2/models/__init__.py
@@ -26,8 +26,11 @@ The primary entry point for building a full, ready-to-use BatDetect2 model
 is the ``build_model`` factory function exported from this module.
 """
 
+from typing import Literal
+
 import torch
 from pydantic import Field
+from soundevent.data import PathLike
 
 from batdetect2.audio.loader import TARGET_SAMPLERATE_HZ
 from batdetect2.core.configs import BaseConfig
@@ -142,6 +145,22 @@ class ModelConfig(BaseConfig):
     postprocess: PostprocessConfig = Field(default_factory=PostprocessConfig)
     targets: TargetConfig = Field(default_factory=TargetConfig)
 
+    @classmethod
+    def load(
+        cls,
+        path: PathLike,
+        field: str | None = None,
+        extra: Literal["ignore", "allow", "forbid"] | None = None,
+        strict: bool | None = None,
+        targets: TargetConfig | None = None,
+    ) -> "ModelConfig":
+        config = super().load(path, field, extra, strict)
+
+        if targets is None:
+            return config
+
+        return config.model_copy(update={"targets": targets})
+
 
 class Model(torch.nn.Module):
     """End-to-end BatDetect2 model wrapping preprocessing and postprocessing.