diff --git a/site_ansto/motor_dmc2280.c b/site_ansto/motor_dmc2280.c
index d68db4b3..6019a832 100644
--- a/site_ansto/motor_dmc2280.c
+++ b/site_ansto/motor_dmc2280.c
@@ -994,6 +994,9 @@ static int checkMotion(void *pData) {
   pDMC2280Driv self;
   self = (pDMC2280Driv)pData;
   assert(self != NULL);
+  /* we can only test if there is an absolute encoder */
+  if (!self->abs_endcoder)
+    return 1;
   if (self->time_lastPos_set.tv_sec == 0) {
     /* first time - initialise the data */
     if (FAILURE == readMotion(self, &steps, &counts))