diff --git a/daq/src/aaredaq/daq.py b/daq/src/aaredaq/daq.py
index d46e6513..1ae31760 100644
--- a/daq/src/aaredaq/daq.py
+++ b/daq/src/aaredaq/daq.py
@@ -1219,6 +1219,9 @@ class AareDAQ:
         #
         curr_state = self.__cfg.state
 
+        if not self.__cfg.state_busy:
+            raise Exception("Beamline should be busy")
+
         if target == BeamlineStateEnum.Maintenance:
             self.__cfg.state = BeamlineStateEnum.Maintenance
         elif target != curr_state: