diff --git a/bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py b/bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py
index c7be0abb..2cc06b58 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import uuid
 
 from functools import wraps
 
+from qtpy.QtCore import QCoreApplication
 
 import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
 from bec_lib import MessageEndpoints, messages
@@ -170,4 +171,5 @@ class RPCBase:
             response = self._client.connector.get(
                 MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id)
             )
+            QCoreApplication.processEvents()  # keep UI responsive (and execute signals/slots)
         return response
diff --git a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py
index a8f0a2ba..d5a512af 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class _BECDispatcher(QObject):
 
     def __init__(self, bec_config=None):
         super().__init__()
-        self.client = BECClient()
+        self.client = BECClient(forced=True)  # make a new instance
 
         # TODO: this is a workaround for now to provide service config within qtdesigner, but is
         # it possible to provide config via a cli arg?