diff --git a/src/sparseml/core/lifecycle/session.py b/src/sparseml/core/lifecycle/session.py
index 451cbd5bfde..7408dff1f45 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/core/lifecycle/session.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/core/lifecycle/session.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class SparsificationLifecycle:
 
     def reset(self):
         for mod in self.modifiers:
-            if not mod.initialized_ or mod.finalized:
+            if not mod.initialized or mod.finalized:
                 continue
 
             try:
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ def initialize(self, framework: Framework = None, **kwargs) -> List[Any]:
         extras = self.recipe_container.update(**extras)
 
         self._check_compile_recipe()
+        self._set_model_layer_prefix()
         mod_data = []
         for mod in self.modifiers:
             data = mod.initialize(state=self.state, **extras)
@@ -208,3 +209,14 @@ def _check_setup_event_lifecycle(self, event_type: EventType):
             )
         else:
             raise ValueError(f"invalid event type {event_type}")
+
+    def _set_model_layer_prefix(self):
+        if (
+            (compiled_recipe := self.recipe_container.compiled_recipe) is None
+            or (metadata := compiled_recipe.metadata) is None
+            or (model_metadata := metadata.target_model) is None
+        ):
+            return False
+
+        self.state.model.layer_prefix = model_metadata.layer_prefix
+        return True
diff --git a/src/sparseml/core/model/base.py b/src/sparseml/core/model/base.py
index d5647c2c22a..bee11706ade 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/core/model/base.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/core/model/base.py
@@ -57,13 +57,21 @@ class ModifiableModel(Generic[MT, LT, PT], MultiFrameworkObject):
     to be searchable by the MultiFrameworkObject factory method.
 
     :param framework: the framework the model is in
+    :param layer_prefix: name of model attribute that contains the list of layers, i.e.
+        model.decoder for OPT or just model for Llama
     :param model: the model object
     """
 
     model: MT = None
 
-    def __init__(self, framework: Optional[Framework] = None, model=None):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        framework: Optional[Framework] = None,
+        model=None,
+        layer_prefix: Optional[str] = None,
+    ):
         self.model = model
+        self._layer_prefix = layer_prefix
 
     def get_layers_params(
         self, targets: Union[str, List[str]]
@@ -117,6 +125,22 @@ def set_param(self, target: str, param: PT):
         """
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
+    @property
+    def layer_prefix(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        """
+        :return: the name of model attribute that contains the list of layers, i.e.
+            model.decoder for OPT or just model for Llama
+        """
+        return self._layer_prefix
+
+    @layer_prefix.setter
+    def layer_prefix(self, value: Optional[str]):
+        """
+        :param value: the name of model attribute that contains the list of layers, i.e.
+            model.decoder for OPT or just model for Llama
+        """
+        self._layer_prefix = value
+
     def get_matching_layer(
         self, target: str, name_to_match: str, model: LT
     ) -> Optional[Tuple[str, LT]]:
diff --git a/src/sparseml/core/model/pytorch.py b/src/sparseml/core/model/pytorch.py
index 41e4da600d3..f3a5701a3fe 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/core/model/pytorch.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/core/model/pytorch.py
@@ -40,12 +40,17 @@ class ModifiableModelPyTorch(ModifiableModel[Module, Module, Parameter]):
 
     :param framework: the framework the model is in
     :param model: the model object
+    :param layer_prefix: name of model attribute that contains the list of layers, i.e.
+        model.decoder for OPT or just model for Llama
     """
 
     def __init__(
-        self, framework: Optional[Framework] = None, model: Optional[Module] = None
+        self,
+        framework: Optional[Framework] = None,
+        model: Optional[Module] = None,
+        layer_prefix: Optional[str] = None,
     ):
-        super().__init__(framework=framework, model=model)
+        super().__init__(framework=framework, model=model, layer_prefix=layer_prefix)
 
     def get_layers_params(
         self, targets: Union[str, List[str]]
diff --git a/src/sparseml/core/recipe/metadata.py b/src/sparseml/core/recipe/metadata.py
index 65fc907e967..c1a7ef3f991 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/core/recipe/metadata.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/core/recipe/metadata.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from typing import Any, Dict, List
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ class ModelMetaData(BaseModel):
     input_shapes: List[List[int]] = None
     output_shapes: List[List[int]] = None
     layers: List[LayerMetaData] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    layer_prefix: Optional[str] = None
 
 
 class RecipeMetaData(BaseModel):
@@ -79,3 +80,18 @@ class RecipeMetaData(BaseModel):
     tags: List[str] = None
     target_dataset: DatasetMetaData = None
     target_model: ModelMetaData = None
+
+    def update_missing_metadata(self, other: "RecipeMetaData"):
+        """
+        Update recipe metadata with missing values from another
+        recipe metadata instance
+
+        :param other: the recipe metadata to update with
+        """
+        self.domain = self.domain or other.domain
+        self.task = self.task or other.task
+        self.versions = self.versions or other.versions
+        self.requirements = self.requirements or other.requirements
+        self.tags = self.tags or other.tags
+        self.target_dataset = self.target_dataset or other.target_dataset
+        self.target_model = self.target_model or other.target_model
diff --git a/src/sparseml/core/recipe/recipe.py b/src/sparseml/core/recipe/recipe.py
index af40fa5b931..c0b1dcaa240 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/core/recipe/recipe.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/core/recipe/recipe.py
@@ -135,6 +135,9 @@ def simplify_recipe(
         simplified.args = RecipeArgs(args)
         simplified.stages = stages
         simplified.evaluate(args=args, shift=shift)
+        simplified.metadata = (
+            recipe.metadata if isinstance(recipe, Recipe) else recipe.recipe.metadata
+        )
 
         return simplified
 
@@ -185,6 +188,7 @@ def simplify_combine_recipes(
             combined.version = simplified.version
             combined.stages.extend(simplified.stages)
             combined.args.update(simplified.args)
+            combined.combine_metadata(simplified.metadata)
 
         return combined
 
@@ -388,6 +392,22 @@ def extract_dict_stages(values: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
 
         return stages
 
+    def combine_metadata(self, metadata: Optional[RecipeMetaData]):
+        """
+        Combines the metadata of the recipe with the supplied metadata
+        If the recipe already has metadata, the supplied metadata will
+        be used to update missing metadata
+
+        :param metadata: The metadata to combine with the recipe
+        """
+        if metadata is None:
+            return
+
+        if self.metadata is None:
+            self.metadata = metadata
+        else:
+            self.metadata.update_missing_metadata(metadata)
+
     def dict(self, *args, **kwargs) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """
         >>> recipe_str = '''
diff --git a/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/base.py b/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/base.py
index f9e7a1c2955..cb87af2be07 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/base.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/base.py
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@ class SparseGPTModifier(Modifier):
     :param targets: list of layer names to compress during OBCQ, or '__ALL__'
         to compress every layer in the model
     :param target_ids: list of keys in model output to cache
-    :param layer_prefix: name of model attribute that contains the list of layers, i.e.
-        model.decoder for OPT or just model for Llama
     """
 
     sparsity: Union[float, List[float]]
diff --git a/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/pytorch.py b/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/pytorch.py
index 70530f29c8d..c3a138bc6ce 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/pytorch.py
+++ b/src/sparseml/modifiers/obcq/pytorch.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ class SparseGPTModifierPyTorch(SparseGPTModifier):
     model: Any = None
     device_: str = "cuda:0"
     finalization_kwargs_: Dict = None
+    layer_prefix_: Optional[str] = None
 
     def on_initialize(self, state: "State", **kwargs) -> bool:
         """
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ def initialize_obcq(
         """
         self.model = model
         self.compressible_layers_ = self.compressible_layers()
+        self.layer_prefix_ = model.layer_prefix
         self.model = self.model.model
         self._set_device(device)
 
@@ -106,7 +108,7 @@ def apply_obcq(
         extras = self.compress_bottom(
             dev=self.device_,
             target_ids=self.target_ids,
-            layer_prefix=self.layer_prefix,
+            layer_prefix=self.layer_prefix_,
             **accum_kwargs,
         )
         accum_kwargs.update(extras)
@@ -166,17 +168,20 @@ def compress_bottom(
         nsamples: int = None,
         dev: str = "cuda:0",
         target_ids: List[str] = None,
-        layer_prefix: str = None,
+        layer_prefix: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> Dict:
         """
         Runs calibration data through the bottom part of the network (everything up
         to the first decoder layer) and return the captured outputs
 
         :param dataloader: calibration data to pass through the model
-        :nsamples: number of samples to use for calibration, or None to use it all
-        :dev: device to use
+        :param nsamples: number of samples to use for calibration, or None to use it all
+        :param dev: device to use
+        :param layer_prefix: name of model attribute that contains the list of layers,
+            i.e. model.decoder for OPT or just model for Llama
         :return: outputs from bottom part of network, attention mask, and kv-cache state
         """
+        layer_prefix = layer_prefix or self.layer_prefix_
         cached_inputs = cache_attention_inputs(
             self.model, dataloader, dev, nsamples, target_ids, layer_prefix
         )
diff --git a/src/sparseml/transformers/sparsification/obcq/example.yaml b/src/sparseml/transformers/sparsification/obcq/example.yaml
index 6594bf39547..ddf9d6ee3ce 100644
--- a/src/sparseml/transformers/sparsification/obcq/example.yaml
+++ b/src/sparseml/transformers/sparsification/obcq/example.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+metadata:
+  target_model:
+    layer_prefix: "decoder"
+    architecture: "opt"
+
 test_stage:
   obcq_modifiers:
     SmoothQuantModifier:
@@ -52,4 +57,3 @@ test_stage:
         "model.decoder.layers.23"
       ]
       target_ids: ["attention_mask"]
-      layer_prefix: "decoder"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/sparseml/core/lifecycle/test_session.py b/tests/sparseml/core/lifecycle/test_session.py
index 332a7e610ec..344a299c834 100644
--- a/tests/sparseml/core/lifecycle/test_session.py
+++ b/tests/sparseml/core/lifecycle/test_session.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 
+import sparseml.core.session as sml
 from sparseml.core import Framework
 from sparseml.core.event import Event, EventType
 from sparseml.core.lifecycle.event import CallbacksEventLifecycle
@@ -25,6 +26,58 @@
 from sparseml.core.state import State
 
 
+def recipe_with_layer_prefix():
+    layer_prefix = "decoder"
+    recipe = f"""
+    metadata:
+        target_model:
+            layer_prefix: {layer_prefix}
+            architecture: "opt"
+
+    test_stage:
+        pruning_modifiers:
+            ConstantPruningModifier:
+                targets: __ALL_PRUNABLE__
+                start: 0
+                end: 5
+    """
+    return recipe, layer_prefix
+
+
+def recipe_without_layer_prefix():
+    recipe = """
+    test_stage:
+        pruning_modifiers:
+            ConstantPruningModifier:
+                targets: __ALL_PRUNABLE__
+                start: 0
+                end: 5
+    """
+    return recipe, None
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def model():
+    # identity model
+    return lambda x: x
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "recipe, expected_layer_prefix",
+    [
+        recipe_without_layer_prefix(),
+        recipe_with_layer_prefix(),
+    ],
+)
+def test_session_initialize_propagates_layer_prefix_to_model(
+    recipe, expected_layer_prefix, model
+):
+    session = sml.active_session()
+    session.initialize(framework=Framework.general, model=model, recipe=recipe)
+    print(f"{session.state.model.layer_prefix=}, {expected_layer_prefix=}")
+    assert session.state.model.layer_prefix == expected_layer_prefix
+
+
 class ModifierMock(ModifierInterface):
     initialized_ = False
 
diff --git a/tests/sparseml/core/recipe/test_metadata.py b/tests/sparseml/core/recipe/test_metadata.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bfc410d8467
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/sparseml/core/recipe/test_metadata.py
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2021 - present / Neuralmagic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+# software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+
+import pytest
+
+from sparseml.core.recipe.metadata import ModelMetaData, RecipeMetaData
+
+
+class TestRecipeMetaData:
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "self_metadata",
+        [
+            dict(domain="cv", task="classification"),
+            dict(),
+        ],
+    )
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "other_metadata",
+        [
+            dict(domain="domain", task="segmentation", requirements=["torch>=1.6.0"]),
+            dict(
+                domain="cv",
+                task="task",
+                target_model=ModelMetaData(layer_prefix="something"),
+            ),
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_update_missing_metadata(self, self_metadata, other_metadata):
+
+        metadata_a = RecipeMetaData(**self_metadata)
+        metadata_b = RecipeMetaData(**other_metadata)
+
+        metadata_a.update_missing_metadata(metadata_b)
+
+        all_keys = set(self_metadata.keys()).union(other_metadata.keys())
+
+        # keys should not be overwritten
+        # if they already exist
+        for key in all_keys:
+            if key in self_metadata:
+                assert getattr(metadata_a, key) == self_metadata[key]
+            elif key in other_metadata:
+                assert getattr(metadata_a, key) == other_metadata[key]