diff --git a/src/potential_file_reader.cpp b/src/potential_file_reader.cpp
index 2ad8bbb764..2730a3d109 100644
--- a/src/potential_file_reader.cpp
+++ b/src/potential_file_reader.cpp
@@ -40,16 +40,19 @@ using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
  * \param  lmp             Pointer to LAMMPS instance
  * \param  filename        Name of file to be read
  * \param  potential_name  Name of potential style for error messages
- * \param  auto_convert    Bitmask of supported unit conversions */
+ * \param  name_suffix     Suffix added to potential name in error messages
+ * \param  auto_convert    Bitmask of supported unit conversions
+ */
 
 PotentialFileReader::PotentialFileReader(LAMMPS *lmp,
                                          const std::string &filename,
                                          const std::string &potential_name,
+                                         const std::string &name_suffix,
                                          const int auto_convert) :
   Pointers(lmp),
   reader(nullptr),
   filename(filename),
-  filetype(potential_name + " potential"),
+  filetype(potential_name + name_suffix),
   unit_convert(auto_convert)
 {
   if (comm->me != 0) {
@@ -66,6 +69,20 @@ PotentialFileReader::PotentialFileReader(LAMMPS *lmp,
   }
 }
 
+/*
+ * \param  lmp             Pointer to LAMMPS instance
+ * \param  filename        Name of file to be read
+ * \param  potential_name  Name of potential style for error messages
+ * \param  auto_convert    Bitmask of supported unit conversions
+ */
+PotentialFileReader::PotentialFileReader(LAMMPS *lmp,
+                                         const std::string &filename,
+                                         const std::string &potential_name,
+                                         const int auto_convert) :
+  PotentialFileReader(lmp, filename, potential_name, " potential", auto_convert)
+{
+}
+
 /** Closes the file */
 
 PotentialFileReader::~PotentialFileReader() {
diff --git a/src/potential_file_reader.h b/src/potential_file_reader.h
index d3befca282..4f69b8f757 100644
--- a/src/potential_file_reader.h
+++ b/src/potential_file_reader.h
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ namespace LAMMPS_NS
     PotentialFileReader(class LAMMPS *lmp, const std::string &filename,
                         const std::string &potential_name,
                         const int auto_convert = 0);
+    PotentialFileReader(class LAMMPS *lmp, const std::string &filename,
+                        const std::string &potential_name,
+                        const std::string &name_suffix,
+                        const int auto_convert = 0);
     virtual ~PotentialFileReader();
 
     void ignore_comments(bool value);