diff --git a/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py b/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py
index ca491f2ac0..dd3791cce0 100644
--- a/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py
+++ b/jdaviz/configs/specviz/helper.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def load_data(self, data, data_label=None, format=None, show_in_viewer=True,
             `~astropy.utils.data.download_file` or
             `~astroquery.mast.Conf.timeout`).
         """
-        parser = data_formats.get_parser(data)
+        parser = data_formats.get_parser(data, load_as_list=load_as_list)
         if not self._dev_deconfig and parser != 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser':
             raise NotImplementedError("Only Spectrum1D data is supported in Specviz.")
 
diff --git a/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py b/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
index e959391ade..604c9f1e3f 100644
--- a/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
+++ b/jdaviz/core/data_formats.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def get_valid_format(filename):
     return valid_file_format, recommended_config
 
 
-def get_parser(obj):
+def get_parser(obj, show_as_list=False):
     """
     Identify the data parser from a filename or data object
 
@@ -107,7 +107,8 @@ def get_parser(obj):
         if obj.flux.ndim == 1:
             return 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser'
         else:
-            # TODO: how to determine if multiple spectra or an image?
+            if show_as_list:
+                return 'specviz-spectrumlist-parser'
             return 'mosviz-spec2d-parser'
     _, config = get_valid_format(obj)
     parsers = {'specviz': 'specviz-spectrum1d-parser', 'specviz2d': 'mosviz-spec2d-parser'}