diff --git a/script/local.py b/script/local.py
index 260aa0bb..2f28555b 100644
--- a/script/local.py
+++ b/script/local.py
@@ -80,6 +80,19 @@ class ImageAngleDistribution(ReadableCalibratedArray):
 
 AngleDistribution = ImageAngleDistribution()
 
+def init_scienta():
+    """
+    turn on the analyser and start a mock measurement so that we get the correct array size.
+    start a scienta acquisition and abort after 4 seconds.
+    """
+    if Scienta.isSimulated():
+        time.sleep(0.1)
+    else:
+        image_id = Scienta.currentImageCount
+        Scienta.start()
+        Scienta.waitReady(4000)
+        Scienta.stop()
+        Scienta.waitNewImage(500, image_id)
 
 def trig_scienta():
     if Scienta.isSimulated():
@@ -297,7 +310,6 @@ def before_readout():
 def after_readout(rec):
     if beam_ok:     
       if get_exec_pars().save:
-          print rec.index
           if rec.index == 0:              
               create_diag_datasets()
           append_diag_datasets()
@@ -329,16 +341,21 @@ def adjust_sensors():
     global SENSORS
     if SENSORS is not None:
         # Move integration to end
+        sample_scienta = False
         for dev in ["Scienta.spectrum","EnergyDistribution", "AngleDistribution", "Scienta.dataMatrix"]:
             if dev in SENSORS:
+                sample_scienta = True
                 SENSORS=SENSORS+[SENSORS.pop(SENSORS.index(dev))]
         for dev in ["Counts"]:
             if dev in SENSORS:
+                sample_scienta = True
                 SENSORS=[SENSORS.pop(SENSORS.index(dev))] + SENSORS
         if "Scienta.dataMatrix" in SENSORS or Scienta.dataMatrix in SENSORS:
             print "Not ACC"
             set_exec_pars(accumulate = False)
-    
+        if sample_scienta:
+            init_scienta()
+        
 #Device aliases for data files
 set_device_alias(Scienta.dataMatrix, "ScientaImage")
 set_device_alias(Scienta.spectrum, "ScientaSpectrum")