diff --git a/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py b/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py
index 7d87b3b..c460077 100644
--- a/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py
+++ b/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/LamNI/x_ray_eye_align.py
@@ -200,6 +200,21 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
         print(f"Alignment GUI: {msg}")
         self.gui.user_message = msg
 
+    def _sync_sample_name(self, prompt: bool = False):
+        """Push lamni.sample_name into the XRayEye GUI's sample_name field.
+
+        If prompt=True, first ask for it via the same _get_val() pattern
+        tomo_parameters() uses (Enter keeps the current value) -- used at
+        the rotation-center steps, which are often the first alignment
+        action for a new sample, before tomo_parameters() has necessarily
+        run.
+        """
+        if prompt:
+            self.lamni.sample_name = self.lamni._get_val(
+                "sample name", self.lamni.sample_name, str
+            )
+        self.gui.sample_name = self.lamni.sample_name
+
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Main alignment procedure
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -262,6 +277,7 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
             then load fit parameters into the global variable store.
         """
         self.lamni.lamnigui_show_xeyealign()
+        self._sync_sample_name()
         self.gui.set_dap_params_forwarding(True)
         self.send_message("Getting things ready. Please wait...")
 
@@ -848,6 +864,7 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
             tuple: (new_lsamx_center, new_lsamy_center) in mm.
         """
         self.lamni.lamnigui_show_xeyealign()
+        self._sync_sample_name(prompt=True)
         self.gui.set_dap_params_forwarding(False)
         self._reset_init_values()
         self.alignment_images = []
@@ -1136,6 +1153,7 @@ class XrayEyeAlign:
             )
 
         self.lamni.lamnigui_show_xeyealign()
+        self._sync_sample_name(prompt=True)
         self.gui.set_dap_params_forwarding(False)
         self._reset_init_values()
         self.alignment_images = []