diff --git a/llmfoundry/command_utils/eval.py b/llmfoundry/command_utils/eval.py
index 7d8306c0a0..bddd592dba 100644
--- a/llmfoundry/command_utils/eval.py
+++ b/llmfoundry/command_utils/eval.py
@@ -175,6 +175,54 @@ def evaluate_model(
     return (trainer, logger_keys, eval_gauntlet_callback, eval_gauntlet_df)
 
 
+def allow_toplevel_keys(cfg: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Transform the config to allow top-level keys for model configuration.
+
+    This function allows users to use the 'train.py' syntax in 'eval.py'.
+    It converts a config with top-level 'model', 'tokenizer', and (optionally) 'load_path' keys
+    into the nested 'models' list format required by 'eval.py'.
+
+    Input config format (train.py style):
+    ```yaml
+    model:
+      <model_kwargs>
+    load_path: /path/to/checkpoint
+    tokenizer:
+      <tokenizer_kwargs>
+    ```
+
+    Output config format (eval.py style):
+    ```yaml
+    models:
+      - model:
+          <model_kwargs>
+        tokenizer:
+          <tokenizer_kwargs>
+        load_path: /path/to/checkpoint
+    ```
+    """
+    if 'model' in cfg:
+        if 'models' in cfg:
+            raise ValueError(
+                'Please specify either model or models in the config, not both',
+            )
+        default_name = cfg.get('model').get('name')  # type: ignore
+        model_cfg = {
+            'model': cfg.pop('model'),
+            'tokenizer': cfg.pop('tokenizer', None),
+            'model_name': cfg.pop('model_name', default_name),
+        }
+        if 'tokenizer' not in model_cfg or model_cfg['tokenizer'] is None:
+            raise ValueError(
+                'When specifying model, "tokenizer" must be provided in the config',
+            )
+        if 'load_path' in cfg:
+            model_cfg['load_path'] = cfg.pop('load_path')
+        cfg['models'] = [model_cfg]
+
+    return cfg
+
+
 def evaluate(cfg: DictConfig) -> Tuple[list[Trainer], pd.DataFrame]:
     # Run user provided code if specified
     for code_path in cfg.get('code_paths', []):
@@ -184,6 +232,7 @@ def evaluate(cfg: DictConfig) -> Tuple[list[Trainer], pd.DataFrame]:
         cfg,
         EvalConfig,
         EVAL_CONFIG_KEYS,
+        transforms=[allow_toplevel_keys],
         icl_tasks_required=True,
     )