diff --git a/src/masterMacsAxis.cpp b/src/masterMacsAxis.cpp
index 65f1d9d..0545958 100644
--- a/src/masterMacsAxis.cpp
+++ b/src/masterMacsAxis.cpp
@@ -1035,8 +1035,6 @@ asynStatus masterMacsAxis::enable(bool on) {
     // Status of parameter library operations
     asynStatus pl_status = asynSuccess;
 
-    bool moving = false;
-
     // =========================================================================
 
     /*
@@ -1046,6 +1044,13 @@ asynStatus masterMacsAxis::enable(bool on) {
     */
     targetReachedUninitialized_ = true;
 
+    /*
+    Continue regardless of the status returned by the poll; we just want to
+    find out whether the motor is currently moving or not. If the poll
+    function fails before it can determine that, it is assumed that the motor
+    is not moving.
+    */
+    bool moving = false;
     doPoll(&moving);
 
     // If the axis is currently moving, it cannot be disabled. Ignore the