diff --git a/artiq/language/experiment.py b/artiq/language/experiment.py
index ccb604515..98f649d50 100644
--- a/artiq/language/experiment.py
+++ b/artiq/language/experiment.py
@@ -4,9 +4,12 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 class MPO:
 	channels = ""
 	parameters = ""
+	implicit_core = True
 
 	def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
 		argnames = self.channels.split() + self.parameters.split()
+		if self.implicit_core:
+			argnames.insert(0, "core")
 		undef_args = list(argnames)
 
 		if len(argnames) < len(args):
diff --git a/examples/al_spectroscopy.py b/examples/al_spectroscopy.py
index 7018cfd0c..299f7f421 100644
--- a/examples/al_spectroscopy.py
+++ b/examples/al_spectroscopy.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from artiq.language.units import *
 from artiq.language.experiment import *
 
 class AluminumSpectroscopy(MPO):
-	channels = "core mains_sync laser_cooling spectroscopy spectroscopy_b state_detection pmt"
+	channels = "mains_sync laser_cooling spectroscopy spectroscopy_b state_detection pmt"
 	parameters = "spectroscopy_freq photon_limit_low photon_limit_high"
 
 	@kernel
diff --git a/examples/compiler_test.py b/examples/compiler_test.py
index 62060dc09..5e796e073 100644
--- a/examples/compiler_test.py
+++ b/examples/compiler_test.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from artiq.language.experiment import *
 my_range = range
 
 class CompilerTest(MPO):
-	channels = "core a b A B"
+	channels = "a b A B"
 
 	def print_done(self):
 		print("Done!")
diff --git a/examples/coredev_test.py b/examples/coredev_test.py
index 5c4595c9e..9b2265545 100644
--- a/examples/coredev_test.py
+++ b/examples/coredev_test.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from artiq.language.experiment import MPO, kernel
 from artiq.devices import corecom_serial, runtime, core, gpio_core
 
 class CompilerTest(MPO):
-	channels = "core led"
+	channels = "led"
 
 	def output(self, n):
 		print("Received: "+str(n))
diff --git a/examples/simple_simulation.py b/examples/simple_simulation.py
index 9ec66abc0..749fb8ce4 100644
--- a/examples/simple_simulation.py
+++ b/examples/simple_simulation.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from artiq.language.units import *
 from artiq.language.experiment import *
 
 class SimpleSimulation(MPO):
-	channels = "core a b c d"
+	channels = "a b c d"
 
 	@kernel
 	def run(self):