diff --git a/arc/mapping/engine.py b/arc/mapping/engine.py
index acc6573ebe..82bfa96f6a 100644
--- a/arc/mapping/engine.py
+++ b/arc/mapping/engine.py
@@ -1287,3 +1287,18 @@ def cut_species_based_on_atom_indices(species: List["ARCSpecies"], bdes: List[Tu
                 break
                 
     return species
+
+
+def copy_species_list_for_mapping(species: List["ARCSpecies"]) -> List["ARCSpecies"]:
+    """
+    A helper function for copying the species list for mapping. Also keeps the atom indices when copying.
+    Args:
+        species (List[ARCSpecies]): The species list to be copied.
+    Returns:
+        List[ARCSpecies]: The copied species list.
+    """
+    copies = [spc.copy() for spc in species]
+    for copy, spc in zip(copies, species):
+        for atom1, atom2 in zip(copy.mol.atoms, spc.mol.atoms):
+            atom1.label = atom2.label
+    return copies