diff --git a/src/aare/daq/daq.py b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
index 598ddf31..2d3db6b4 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/daq.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
@@ -1724,9 +1724,10 @@ class AareDAQ:
         return self.__cfg.reference_tools
 
     def sample_spreadsheet_user(self, pgroup: str) -> SampleShortInfoList:
-        sample = self.sample_spreadsheet
-        sample.s = list(filter(lambda x: x.user == pgroup, sample.s))
-        return sample
+        # sample = copy.deepcopy(self.sample_spreadsheet) #switch to copy if too heavy!
+        # sample.s = list(filter(lambda x: x.user == pgroup, sample.s))
+        # return sample
+        return SampleShortInfoList(s=[x for x in self.sample_spreadsheet.s if x.user == pgroup])
 
     def get_auto_raster_params(self) -> SimpleScanParameters: