diff --git a/daq/src/aaredaq/config.py b/daq/src/aaredaq/config.py
index e20782a0..281f8b00 100644
--- a/daq/src/aaredaq/config.py
+++ b/daq/src/aaredaq/config.py
@@ -19,11 +19,14 @@ from aaredaqlib.models import (
 )
 
 from aaredaqlib.beamline import MXBeamline
+from aaredaqlib.logger_config import setup_logger
 
 ABR_POS_ALIGN_DEF = Coordinate(x=-18, y=-0.266, z=0)
 ABR_POS_MOUNT = Coordinate(x=-18, y=0, z=0)
 ABR_OMEGA_MOUNT = 0.0
 
+logger = setup_logger("aareDAQ")
+
 # Serialize the NumPy array to a Base64 string
 def numpy_to_base64(array: np.ndarray) -> str:
     buffer = io.BytesIO()  # Create an in-memory buffer
@@ -576,9 +579,14 @@ class BeamlineConfig:
     def auto_params(self) -> SimpleScanParameters | None:
         tmp = self.__client.get(f"{self.__bl}:auto_params")
         if tmp is None:
+            logger.debug(f"auto_params missing in redis key {self.__bl}:auto_params")
+            return None
+        try:
+            data_dict = json.loads(tmp)
+            return SimpleScanParameters(**data_dict)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"failed to parse auto_params from redis: {e}; raw={tmp}")
             return None
-        data_dict = json.loads(tmp)
-        return SimpleScanParameters(**data_dict)
 
     @auto_params.setter
     def auto_params(self, params:SimpleScanParameters | None):