diff --git a/bindings/python/cntk/ops/variables.py b/bindings/python/cntk/ops/variables.py
index 7a527a293..c4855a5b5 100644
--- a/bindings/python/cntk/ops/variables.py
+++ b/bindings/python/cntk/ops/variables.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def _sanitize_value(shape, value, dtype, device, is_param=False):
 
         #TODO: check whether this copy operation from cpu to gpu is not needed
         if device.type() != 0:
-            ndav_cpu = utils.create_NDArrayView_from_NumPy(value)
+            ndav_cpu = utils.create_NDArrayView_from_NumPy(value, dev=DeviceDescriptor.cpu_device())
             ndav = utils.create_NDArrayView(value.shape, data_type=cntk_dtype, dev=device)
             ndav.copy_from(ndav_cpu)
         else:
diff --git a/bindings/python/examples/common/nn.py b/bindings/python/examples/common/nn.py
index 7babc84fe..4ef69686d 100644
--- a/bindings/python/examples/common/nn.py
+++ b/bindings/python/examples/common/nn.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import os
 from cntk.ops import *
 
 def linear_layer(input, output_dim):
-    input_dim = input.shape()[0]
+    input_dim = input.shape().dimensions()[0]
     times_param = parameter(shape=(input_dim, output_dim))
     bias_param = parameter(shape=(output_dim))