diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index ae14d4951..697c3e822 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ data/
 
 # output models
 output_models/
+adapter_model/
 
 # Distribution / packaging
 .Python
diff --git a/examples/merge_lora.py b/examples/merge_lora.py
index a8f40db0e..cd52363a8 100644
--- a/examples/merge_lora.py
+++ b/examples/merge_lora.py
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ def main():
         device=merge_lora_args.device,
         ds_config=merge_lora_args.ds_config
     )
+    model.activate_model_for_inference()
     model.merge_lora_weights()
     model.save(merge_lora_args.output_model_path, save_full_model=True)