diff --git a/devices.py b/devices.py
index aba3d4d..b543edd 100644
--- a/devices.py
+++ b/devices.py
@@ -787,9 +787,10 @@ class FrappyNode(SecNodeDevice, Moveable):
         """
         if cfg is None:
             cfg = self._cfgvalue
-        if cfg is None:
-            self.log.error('can not restart - previous cfg unknown')
-            return
+            if cfg is None:
+                self.log.error('can not restart - previous cfg unknown')
+                return
+        self._setROParam('target', cfg)
         ins = config.instrument
         fm = FrappyManager()
         info = fm.get_ins_info(ins)
@@ -829,7 +830,6 @@ class FrappyNode(SecNodeDevice, Moveable):
             self._cfgvalue = cfg
             if self._cache:
                 self._cache.put(self, 'value', cfg)
-            self._setROParam('target', cfg)
         finally:
             self._cache.put(self, 'previous_config', self._cfgvalue or self.uri)