Later, however, Napoleon decided that the Church would make a better ally than enemy and the Pope came to Paris for his installation as Emperor. Lalande took the opportunity to reissue his Dictionary of Atheists with Napoleon's name included which caused the new Emperor to demand that the Institut de France censure Lalande. Delambre, who was at this time the Permanent Secretary to the Institut, tried hard to make Lalande bend to the Emperor's demands without being seen to undermine the highly prized intellectual freedom that members of the Institut enjoyed.
Lalande kinuha ang pagkakataon na maglathalang muli ang kanyang Diksyunaryo ng mga Atheists sa Napoleon ang pangalan kasama na dulot ng bagong emperador sa demand na ang Institut de France pintas Lalande. Delambre, na sa oras na ito ang Permanent Kalihim sa Institut, sinubukan ng husto upang gumawa ng Lalande yumuko upang ang emperador ang demands nang itinuring na-papahina ng mga mataas ang prized intelektuwal na kalayaan na ang mga miyembro ng Institut masaya. Lalande tumanggi na huminto sa paglagay ng kanyang pasulong na atheist views.