diff --git a/SimCalorimetry/HcalSimProducers/python/hcalUnsuppressedDigis_cfi.py b/SimCalorimetry/HcalSimProducers/python/hcalUnsuppressedDigis_cfi.py
index 9334636966344..b02962b83576a 100644
--- a/SimCalorimetry/HcalSimProducers/python/hcalUnsuppressedDigis_cfi.py
+++ b/SimCalorimetry/HcalSimProducers/python/hcalUnsuppressedDigis_cfi.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 )
 
 from Configuration.Eras.Modifier_fastSim_cff import fastSim
-fastSim.toModify( hcalSimBlock, hitsProducer=cms.string('fastSimProducer') )
+fastSim.toModify( hcalSimBlock, hitsProducer = "fastSimProducer" )
 
 from Configuration.ProcessModifiers.premix_stage1_cff import premix_stage1
 premix_stage1.toModify(hcalSimBlock,
@@ -60,12 +60,16 @@
 
 # test numbering not used in fastsim
 from Configuration.Eras.Modifier_run2_HCAL_2017_cff import run2_HCAL_2017
-(run2_HCAL_2017 & ~fastSim).toModify( hcalSimBlock, TestNumbering = cms.bool(True) )
+(run2_HCAL_2017 & ~fastSim).toModify( hcalSimBlock, TestNumbering = True )
 
 # remove HE processing for phase 2, completely put in HGCal land
+# Also inhibit ZDC digitization
 from Configuration.Eras.Modifier_phase2_hgcal_cff import phase2_hgcal
-phase2_hgcal.toModify(hcalSimBlock, killHE = cms.bool(True) )
+phase2_hgcal.toModify(hcalSimBlock,
+                      doZDCDigi = False,
+                      killHE = True
+)
 
-# remove HE processing for phase 2, completely put in HGCal land
+# inhibit ZDC digitization
 from Configuration.Eras.Modifier_zdcNoDigi_cff import zdcNoDigi
-zdcNoDigi.toModify(hcalSimBlock, doZDCDigi = cms.bool(False) )
+zdcNoDigi.toModify(hcalSimBlock, doZDCDigi = False )