diff --git a/src/aare/daq/workflows.py b/src/aare/daq/workflows.py
index 34603b42..b7c15dfe 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/workflows.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/workflows.py
@@ -144,7 +144,15 @@ def rse2sa(devs: BeamlineDevices, cfg: BeamlineConfig):
 
 def sa2dc(devs: BeamlineDevices, cfg: BeamlineConfig):
     start = time.perf_counter()
-    status = devs.bec_worker.det_z(value=cfg.dtz)
+    det_z_pos = cfg.dtz
+    #TODO det_z_minimum
+    if not det_z_pos:
+        logger.error("Detector Z position not set, defaulting to 170")
+        det_z_pos = 170
+    if det_z_pos and det_z_pos < 170:
+        logger.warning(f"Detector Z position is less than 170: {det_z_pos}, setting to 170")
+        det_z_pos = 170
+    status = devs.bec_worker.det_z(value=det_z_pos)
     logger.info(f"start detector move to {cfg.dtz} at {time.perf_counter() - start:.2f}")
     devs.samcam_auto(AutoEnum.AUTO)
     logger.info(f"sam cam auto exposure in {time.perf_counter() - start:.2f}")