diff --git a/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp b/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp
index 55421bb4e3..2e2c3ef04e 100644
--- a/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp
+++ b/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp
@@ -1723,7 +1723,7 @@ void PairExp6rxKokkos<DeviceType>::read_file(char *file)
   FILE *fp;
   fp = NULL;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open exp6/rx potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp
index 01c8a3fffe..4f5041090f 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ void PairEAMCD::read_h_coeff(char *filename)
     char line[MAXLINE];
     char nextline[MAXLINE];
     int convert_flag = unit_convert_flag;
-    fptr = force->open_potential(filename, &convert_flag);
+    fptr = utils::open_potential(filename, lmp, &convert_flag);
     if (fptr == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open EAMCD potential file {}",
                                    filename));
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp
index 4321bd9f8b..cdd928788b 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp
@@ -1061,7 +1061,7 @@ EIMPotentialFileReader::EIMPotentialFileReader(LAMMPS *lmp,
   }
 
   int unit_convert = auto_convert;
-  FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename.c_str(), &unit_convert);
+  FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(filename, lmp, &unit_convert);
   conversion_factor = utils::get_conversion_factor(utils::ENERGY,unit_convert);
 
   if (fp == NULL) {
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp
index 7c29f44afc..56ef70d8f9 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@ void PairLCBOP::read_file(char *filename)
   // read file on proc 0
 
   if (me == 0) {
-    FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open LCBOP potential file %s",filename);
diff --git a/src/MLIAP/mliap_descriptor_snap.cpp b/src/MLIAP/mliap_descriptor_snap.cpp
index 24e8b19a65..fd1bf18330 100644
--- a/src/MLIAP/mliap_descriptor_snap.cpp
+++ b/src/MLIAP/mliap_descriptor_snap.cpp
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ void MLIAPDescriptorSNAP::read_paramfile(char *paramfilename)
 
   FILE *fpparam;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fpparam = force->open_potential(paramfilename);
+    fpparam = utils::open_potential(paramfilename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fpparam == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open SNAP parameter file {}: {}",
                                    paramfilename, utils::getsyserror()));
diff --git a/src/MLIAP/mliap_model.cpp b/src/MLIAP/mliap_model.cpp
index bc760b7a68..b8ad1913a0 100644
--- a/src/MLIAP/mliap_model.cpp
+++ b/src/MLIAP/mliap_model.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ void MLIAPModel::read_coeffs(char *coefffilename)
 
   FILE *fpcoeff;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fpcoeff = force->open_potential(coefffilename);
+    fpcoeff = utils::open_potential(coefffilename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fpcoeff == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open MLIAPModel coeff file {}: {}",
                                    coefffilename,utils::getsyserror()));
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp
index 5d95ae73c2..ddf035070b 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ void FixCMAP::read_grid_map(char *cmapfile)
 
   FILE *fp = NULL;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(cmapfile);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(cmapfile,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open fix cmap file {}: {}",
                                    cmapfile, utils::getsyserror()));
diff --git a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp
index 877d75734c..ba4932a485 100644
--- a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp
+++ b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ void FixQEq::read_file(char *file)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix qeq parameter file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp b/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp
index 63867f1691..48014592ed 100644
--- a/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp
+++ b/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ void PairSNAP::read_files(char *coefffilename, char *paramfilename)
 
   FILE *fpcoeff;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fpcoeff = force->open_potential(coefffilename);
+    fpcoeff = utils::open_potential(coefffilename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fpcoeff == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open SNAP coefficient file %s",coefffilename);
@@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ void PairSNAP::read_files(char *coefffilename, char *paramfilename)
 
   FILE *fpparam;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fpparam = force->open_potential(paramfilename);
+    fpparam = utils::open_potential(paramfilename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fpparam == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open SNAP parameter file %s",paramfilename);
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp
index 04a619ac3d..69e5336945 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ void FixEOStable::read_table(Table *tb, Table *tb2, char *file, char *keyword)
 
   // open file
 
-  FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
     snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp
index 77efd1842b..ced7283ef4 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ void FixRX::post_constructor()
   FILE *fp;
   fp = NULL;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(kineticsFile);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(kineticsFile,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open rx file %s",kineticsFile);
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ void FixRX::read_file(char *file)
   FILE *fp;
   fp = NULL;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open rx file %s",file);
@@ -892,7 +892,7 @@ void FixRX::read_file(char *file)
   }
 
   // open file on proc 0
-  if (comm->me == 0) fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  if (comm->me == 0) fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
 
   // read each reaction from kinetics file
   eof=0;
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp
index 4ba088201e..839d22b50b 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp
@@ -725,7 +725,7 @@ void PairExp6rx::read_file(char *file)
   FILE *fp;
   fp = NULL;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open exp6/rx potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp
index a8e588fe01..90f6dc6170 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ void PairMultiLucyRX::read_table(Table *tb, char *file, char *keyword)
 
   // open file
 
-  FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
     snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp b/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp
index b344dee10a..f40df56c19 100644
--- a/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ void PairMEAMC::read_files(const std::string &globalfile,
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(globalfile.c_str());
+    fp = utils::open_potential(globalfile,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open MEAM potential file {}",
                                    globalfile));
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ void PairMEAMC::read_files(const std::string &globalfile,
   // open user param file on proc 0
 
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(userfile.c_str());
+    fp = utils::open_potential(userfile,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open MEAM potential file {}",
                                    userfile));
diff --git a/src/USER-MESONT/pair_mesocnt.cpp b/src/USER-MESONT/pair_mesocnt.cpp
index f486814feb..4af8a99d6f 100644
--- a/src/USER-MESONT/pair_mesocnt.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MESONT/pair_mesocnt.cpp
@@ -759,7 +759,7 @@ void PairMesoCNT::read_file()
 
     // open file
 
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open mesocnt file: {}",file));
 
diff --git a/src/USER-MGPT/pair_mgpt.cpp b/src/USER-MGPT/pair_mgpt.cpp
index 213f73f05a..e7ab62608a 100644
--- a/src/USER-MGPT/pair_mgpt.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MGPT/pair_mgpt.cpp
@@ -1904,8 +1904,8 @@ void PairMGPT::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
       printf("Volumetric pressure is %s.\n",volpres_flag ? "on" : "off");
 
     if(comm->me == 0) {
-      FILE *parmin_fp = force->open_potential(arg[2]);
-      FILE *potin_fp = force->open_potential(arg[3]);
+      FILE *parmin_fp = utils::open_potential(arg[2],lmp,nullptr);
+      FILE *potin_fp = utils::open_potential(arg[3],lmp,nullptr);
       if (parmin_fp == NULL || potin_fp == NULL) {
         char str[128];
         sprintf(str,"Cannot open MGPT potential files %s %s",arg[2],arg[3]);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/dihedral_table_cut.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/dihedral_table_cut.cpp
index a734a8e998..2a5b46a4f1 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/dihedral_table_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/dihedral_table_cut.cpp
@@ -1078,7 +1078,7 @@ void DihedralTableCut::read_table(Table *tb, char *file, char *keyword)
 
   // open file
 
-  FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     string err_msg = string("Cannot open file ") + string(file);
     error->one(FLERR,err_msg);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_electron_stopping.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_electron_stopping.cpp
index 5ef0a1cb2f..bf97066275 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_electron_stopping.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_electron_stopping.cpp
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ void FixElectronStopping::read_table(const char *file)
 {
   char line[MAXLINE];
 
-  FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
     snprintf(str, 128, "Cannot open stopping range table %s", file);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp
index aa791679cb..30e62c7eb9 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ FixGLE::FixGLE(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   FILE *fgle = NULL;
   char *fname = arg[7];
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fgle = force->open_potential(fname);
+    fgle = utils::open_potential(fname,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fgle == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open A-matrix file %s",fname);
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ FixGLE::FixGLE(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   } else {
     if (comm->me == 0) {
-      fgle = force->open_potential(fname);
+      fgle = utils::open_potential(fname,lmp,nullptr);
       if (fgle == NULL) {
         char str[128];
         snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open C-matrix file %s",fname);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_orient_eco.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_orient_eco.cpp
index 272ba1ca93..4e97cac3f9 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_orient_eco.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_orient_eco.cpp
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ FixOrientECO::FixOrientECO(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     char *result;
     int count;
 
-    FILE *infile = force->open_potential(dir_filename);
+    FILE *infile = utils::open_potential(dir_filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (infile == NULL)
       error->one(FLERR,fmt::format("Cannot open fix orient/eco file {}: {}",
                                    dir_filename, utils::getsyserror()));
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp
index 4941f2c7b3..764ccc587f 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ void PairAGNI::read_file(char *file)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open AGNI potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_drip.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_drip.cpp
index 2e9221537a..cc890f8c94 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_drip.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_drip.cpp
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ void PairDRIP::read_file(char *filename)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open DRIP potential file %s",filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp
index 288160459a..bb9c742212 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ void PairEDIP::read_file(char *file)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EDIP potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp
index 7fe620223b..90a3502eae 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ void PairEDIPMulti::read_file(char *file)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EDIP potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp
index 65f792b493..8f8d539679 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ void PairExTeP::read_file(char *file)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(file);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open ExTeP potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp
index e7689acda5..62101d0e80 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ void PairILPGrapheneHBN::read_file(char *filename)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open ILP potential file %s",filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp
index ee3eec3869..fb1da5dab8 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ void PairKolmogorovCrespiFull::read_file(char *filename)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open KC potential file %s",filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp
index bf88bac6e2..f02423e952 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ void PairKolmogorovCrespiZ::read_file(char *filename)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open KC potential file %s",filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_lebedeva_z.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_lebedeva_z.cpp
index 27e21a12e3..5a84882cd9 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_lebedeva_z.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_lebedeva_z.cpp
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ void PairLebedevaZ::read_file(char *filename)
 
   FILE *fp;
   if (comm->me == 0) {
-    fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       sprintf(str,"Cannot open Lebedeva potential file %s",filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_list.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_list.cpp
index 44811316a8..c553e671cb 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_list.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_list.cpp
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ void PairList::settings(int narg, char **arg)
     if (strcmp(arg[2],"check") == 0) check_flag = 1;
   }
 
-  FILE *fp = force->open_potential(arg[0]);
+  FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(arg[0],lmp,nullptr);
   char line[1024];
   if (fp == NULL)
     error->all(FLERR,"Cannot open pair list file");
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp
index 5764b09d8a..6091b95837 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ void PairMEAMSpline::read_file(const char* filename)
   int nmultichoose2; // = (n+1)*n/2;
 
   if(comm->me == 0) {
-    FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if(fp == NULL) {
       char str[1024];
       snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open spline MEAM potential file %s", filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp
index 8d33a6f04f..34cbe82581 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ void PairMEAMSWSpline::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
 void PairMEAMSWSpline::read_file(const char* filename)
 {
   if(comm->me == 0) {
-    FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    FILE *fp = utils::open_potential(filename,lmp,nullptr);
     if(fp == NULL) {
       char str[1024];
       snprintf(str,1024,"Cannot open spline MEAM potential file %s", filename);
diff --git a/src/USER-REAXC/pair_reaxc.cpp b/src/USER-REAXC/pair_reaxc.cpp
index 0262ffc14d..e0888e8514 100644
--- a/src/USER-REAXC/pair_reaxc.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-REAXC/pair_reaxc.cpp
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ void PairReaxC::coeff( int nargs, char **args )
 
   char *file = args[2];
   FILE *fp;
-  fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
   if (fp != NULL)
     Read_Force_Field(fp, &(system->reax_param), control);
   else {
diff --git a/src/USER-SMTBQ/pair_smtbq.cpp b/src/USER-SMTBQ/pair_smtbq.cpp
index fcf6d141f2..f6ecd40bb6 100644
--- a/src/USER-SMTBQ/pair_smtbq.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-SMTBQ/pair_smtbq.cpp
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ void PairSMTBQ::read_file(char *file)
 
       // open file on all processors
   FILE *fp;
-  fp = force->open_potential(file);
+  fp = utils::open_potential(file,lmp,nullptr);
   if ( fp  == NULL ) {
     char str[128];
     snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open SMTBQ potential file %s",file);
diff --git a/src/force.cpp b/src/force.cpp
index cb0e0ac5a8..10b82afabe 100644
--- a/src/force.cpp
+++ b/src/force.cpp
@@ -836,59 +836,6 @@ void Force::set_special(int narg, char **arg)
       error->all(FLERR,"Illegal special_bonds command");
 }
 
-/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-   open a potential file as specified by name
-   if fails, search in dir specified by env variable LAMMPS_POTENTIALS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
-
-FILE *Force::open_potential(const char *name, int *auto_convert)
-{
-  std::string filepath = utils::get_potential_file_path(name);
-
-  if(!filepath.empty()) {
-    std::string unit_style = update->unit_style;
-    std::string date       = utils::get_potential_date(filepath, "potential");
-    std::string units      = utils::get_potential_units(filepath, "potential");
-
-    if(!date.empty() && (comm->me == 0)) {
-      utils::logmesg(lmp, fmt::format("Reading potential file {} "
-                                      "with DATE: {}\n", name, date));
-    }
-
-    if (auto_convert == nullptr) {
-      if (!units.empty() && (units != unit_style) && (comm->me == 0)) {
-        error->one(FLERR, fmt::format("Potential file {} requires {} units "
-                                      "but {} units are in use", name, units,
-                                      unit_style));
-        return nullptr;
-      }
-    } else {
-      if (units.empty() || units == unit_style) {
-        *auto_convert = utils::NOCONVERT;
-      } else {
-        if ((units == "metal") && (unit_style == "real")
-            && (*auto_convert & utils::METAL2REAL)) {
-          *auto_convert = utils::METAL2REAL;
-        } else if ((units == "real") && (unit_style == "metal")
-            && (*auto_convert & utils::REAL2METAL)) {
-          *auto_convert = utils::REAL2METAL;
-        } else {
-          error->one(FLERR, fmt::format("Potential file {} requires {} units "
-                                        "but {} units are in use", name,
-                                        units, unit_style));
-          return nullptr;
-        }
-      }
-      if ((*auto_convert != utils::NOCONVERT) && (comm->me == 0))
-        lmp->error->warning(FLERR, fmt::format("Converting potential file in "
-                                               "{} units to {} units",
-                                               units, unit_style));
-    }
-    return fopen(filepath.c_str(), "r");
-  }
-  return nullptr;
-}
-
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    memory usage of force classes
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
diff --git a/src/force.h b/src/force.h
index 8d3ae25294..d7824ea90e 100644
--- a/src/force.h
+++ b/src/force.h
@@ -129,8 +129,6 @@ class Force : protected Pointers {
   void store_style(char *&, const std::string &, int);
   void set_special(int, char **);
 
-  FILE *open_potential(const char *, int *auto_convert = nullptr);
-
   bigint memory_usage();
 
  private:
diff --git a/src/utils.cpp b/src/utils.cpp
index eecc88a529..486a84b601 100644
--- a/src/utils.cpp
+++ b/src/utils.cpp
@@ -939,7 +939,8 @@ double utils::get_conversion_factor(const int property, const int conversion)
    if fails, search in dir specified by env variable LAMMPS_POTENTIALS
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
-FILE *utils::open_potential(const char *name, LAMMPS *lmp, int *auto_convert)
+FILE *utils::open_potential(const std::string &name, LAMMPS *lmp,
+                            int *auto_convert)
 {
   auto error = lmp->error;
   auto me = lmp->comm->me;
diff --git a/src/utils.h b/src/utils.h
index 2b647cfd87..9c897d5d7b 100644
--- a/src/utils.h
+++ b/src/utils.h
@@ -382,8 +382,7 @@ value is compared to the current :doc:`unit style <units>` setting.
      *  \param auto_convert  pointer to automatic unit conversion bitmask
      *  \return              FILE pointer of the opened potential file or NULL
      */
-    FILE *open_potential(const char *name, LAMMPS *lmp,
-                         int *auto_convert=nullptr);
+    FILE *open_potential(const std::string &name, LAMMPS *lmp, int *auto_convert);
 
     /** Convert a time string to seconds
      *