diff --git a/src/aare/devices/bec_worker.py b/src/aare/devices/bec_worker.py
index 5ca021de..db496669 100644
--- a/src/aare/devices/bec_worker.py
+++ b/src/aare/devices/bec_worker.py
@@ -317,7 +317,8 @@ class BECClientWorker:
             raise self._bec_error(e, operation="load_user_macros") from e
 
     def _load_user_macros(self):
-        result = self.macros.load_all_user_macros()
+        # load user macros is common to all clients, not part of beamline dispatch
+        result = self.client.macros.load_all_user_macros()
         if result is None:
             logger.warning("BEC load_all_user_macros returned None")
         return result