diff --git a/pvlib/modelchain.py b/pvlib/modelchain.py
index 1547df18e6..d5971f8bd0 100644
--- a/pvlib/modelchain.py
+++ b/pvlib/modelchain.py
@@ -998,11 +998,11 @@ def _set_celltemp(self, model):
                                   self.results.effective_irradiance)
         temp_air = _tuple_from_dfs(self.weather, 'temp_air')
         wind_speed = _tuple_from_dfs(self.weather, 'wind_speed')
-        arg_list = [poa, temp_air, wind_speed]
         kwargs = {}
         if model == self.system.noct_sam_celltemp:
             kwargs['effective_irradiance'] = self.results.effective_irradiance
-        self.results.cell_temperature = model(*tuple(arg_list))
+        self.results.cell_temperature = model(poa, temp_air, wind_speed,
+                                              **kwargs)
         return self
 
     def sapm_temp(self):
diff --git a/pvlib/tests/test_modelchain.py b/pvlib/tests/test_modelchain.py
index 28e7889414..691fb2b7fd 100644
--- a/pvlib/tests/test_modelchain.py
+++ b/pvlib/tests/test_modelchain.py
@@ -719,7 +719,9 @@ def test_run_model_with_weather_noct_sam_temp(sapm_dc_snl_ac_system, location,
     assert m_noct_sam.call_count == 1
     assert_series_equal(m_noct_sam.call_args[0][1], weather['temp_air'])
     assert_series_equal(m_noct_sam.call_args[0][2], weather['wind_speed'])
-    assert not mc.results.ac.empty
+    # check that effective_irradiance was used
+    assert m_noct_sam.call_args[1] == {
+        'effective_irradiance': mc.results.effective_irradiance}
 
 
 def test_run_model_tracker(sapm_dc_snl_ac_system, location, weather, mocker):