diff --git a/src/somd2/__init__.py b/src/somd2/__init__.py
index 7f0a24a..0591409 100644
--- a/src/somd2/__init__.py
+++ b/src/somd2/__init__.py
@@ -19,14 +19,6 @@
 # along with SOMD2. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #####################################################################
 
-# Disable Sire progress bars until we work out the best way to handle
-# them for the SOMD2 runner, i.e. when running multiple dynamics objects
-# in parallel.
-from sire.base import ProgressBar as _ProgressBar
-
-_ProgressBar.set_silent()
-del _ProgressBar
-
 from loguru import logger as _logger
 
 from . import runner
diff --git a/src/somd2/runner/_base.py b/src/somd2/runner/_base.py
index 023e67d..16fec0d 100644
--- a/src/somd2/runner/_base.py
+++ b/src/somd2/runner/_base.py
@@ -85,6 +85,11 @@ def __init__(self, system, config):
         # user's final choice of output directory is known.
         self._config._setup_output_directory()
 
+        # Progress is reported through the logger, so silence Sire's progress
+        # bars. This also lets Sire run dynamics in longer blocks, since the
+        # blocks only exist to update the bar.
+        _sr.base.ProgressBar.set_silent()
+
         if self._config.replica_exchange and self._config.perturbed_system is not None:
             # Make sure the number of positions is correct.
             num_atoms = self._system.num_atoms()