diff --git a/src/aare/daq/daq.py b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
index 3a942980..b2b76c42 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/daq.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
@@ -293,6 +293,7 @@ class AareDAQ:
         self._automation_samples_in_queue = 0
         self._last_mount_error_message = ""
         self._status_lock = RLock()
+        self._update_status()
         self._status_update_thread = Thread(target=self._status_update_loop, daemon=True)
         self._status_update_error: Exception | None = None
         self._status_update_thread.start()