diff --git a/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py b/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
index 13ec295bbe..fddce46099 100644
--- a/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
+++ b/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
@@ -101,9 +101,14 @@ def get_parser(obj, load_as_list=False):
     parser : str
         The parser for the data object
     """
+    if isinstance(obj, list):
+        parsers = [get_parser(o, load_as_list=load_as_list) for o in obj]
+        if len(set(parsers)) > 1:
+            raise ValueError("cannot find single parser for list of objects")
+        return parsers[0]
     if isinstance(obj, Trace):
         return 'specreduce-trace'
-    elif isinstance(obj, Spectrum1D):
+    if isinstance(obj, Spectrum1D):
         if obj.flux.ndim == 1:
             return 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser'
         else: