The method for providing an aerosol-generating device for use with a shape-transformable aerosol-forming substrate comprises providing an aerosol-generating device comprising a device housing comprising a moulding cavity. The moulding cavity at least partially corresponds to a moulding space between a first mould half and a second mould half of a mould, the first mould half and the second mould half being internal surfaces of the device housing. The method further comprises the step of providing a flat aerosol-forming substrate adapted to change shape when pressed into the moulding cavity and being transformed into a non-flat aerosol-forming substrate. The invention also refers to a flat aerosol-generating article and a kit comprising a flat aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device.