diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_state_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_state_panel.py
index e5006faa..2fb895ed 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_state_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_state_panel.py
@@ -63,8 +63,11 @@ class HoverableButton(QPushButton):
     hovered = Signal(object)
     unhovered = Signal()
 
+    # Set by the panel right after construction; carried in hover signals.
+    _beamline_state: BeamlineStateEnum | None = None
+
     def enterEvent(self, event) -> None:
-        self.hovered.emit(getattr(self, "_beamline_state", None))
+        self.hovered.emit(self._beamline_state)
         super().enterEvent(event)
 
     def leaveEvent(self, event) -> None: