diff --git a/laser_encoders/download_models.py b/laser_encoders/download_models.py
index c4ace448..17a5db35 100644
--- a/laser_encoders/download_models.py
+++ b/laser_encoders/download_models.py
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def initialize_encoder(
     model_dir: str = None,
     spm: bool = True,
     laser: str = None,
-    tokenize: bool = None,
+    tokenize: bool = False,
 ):
     downloader = LaserModelDownloader(model_dir)
     if laser is not None:
@@ -147,17 +147,18 @@ def initialize_encoder(
 
     model_dir = downloader.model_dir
     model_path = os.path.join(model_dir, f"{file_path}.pt")
-    spm_path = os.path.join(model_dir, f"{file_path}.cvocab")
+    spm_vocab = os.path.join(model_dir, f"{file_path}.cvocab")
     spm_model = None
+    if not os.path.exists(spm_vocab):
+        # if there is no cvocab for the laser3 lang use laser2 cvocab
+        spm_vocab = os.path.join(model_dir, "laser2.cvocab")
     if tokenize:
         spm_model = os.path.join(model_dir, f"{file_path}.spm")
+        if not os.path.exists(spm_model):
+            spm_model = os.path.join(model_dir, "laser2.spm")
 
-    if not os.path.exists(spm_path):
-        # if there is no cvocab for the laser3 lang use laser2 cvocab
-        spm_path = os.path.join(model_dir, "laser2.cvocab")
-        spm_model = os.path.join(model_dir, "laser2.spm")
     return SentenceEncoder(
-        model_path=model_path, spm_vocab=spm_path, spm_model=spm_model
+        model_path=model_path, spm_vocab=spm_vocab, spm_model=spm_model
     )
 
 
diff --git a/laser_encoders/models.py b/laser_encoders/models.py
index 0a36d49b..678efc5d 100644
--- a/laser_encoders/models.py
+++ b/laser_encoders/models.py
@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ def __init__(
         if verbose:
             logger.info(f"loading encoder: {model_path}")
         self.spm_model = spm_model
+        if self.spm_model:
+            self.tokenizer = LaserTokenizer(spm_model=Path(self.spm_model))
+
         self.use_cuda = torch.cuda.is_available() and not cpu
         self.max_sentences = max_sentences
         self.max_tokens = max_tokens
@@ -88,6 +91,11 @@ def __init__(
         self.encoder.eval()
         self.sort_kind = sort_kind
 
+    def __call__(self, sentences):
+        if self.spm_model:
+            sentences = self.tokenizer(sentences)
+            return self.encode_sentences(sentences)
+
     def _process_batch(self, batch):
         tokens = batch.tokens
         lengths = batch.lengths
@@ -153,10 +161,6 @@ def batch(tokens, lengths, indices):
             yield batch(batch_tokens, batch_lengths, batch_indices)
 
     def encode_sentences(self, sentences):
-        if self.spm_model:
-            tokenizer = LaserTokenizer(spm_model=Path(self.spm_model))
-            sentences = tokenizer(sentences)
-
         indices = []
         results = []
         for batch, batch_indices in self._make_batches(sentences):