diff --git a/dap/worker.py b/dap/worker.py
index 6bcd0c2..ddb1f16 100644
--- a/dap/worker.py
+++ b/dap/worker.py
@@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ def work(backend_address, accumulator_host, accumulator_port, visualisation_host
             continue
 
 
-        double_pixels = results.get("double_pixels", "mask")
-
         pedestal_name = metadata.get("pedestal_name", None)
 
         jfdata.ensure_current_pixel_mask(pedestal_name)
 
+        double_pixels = results.get("double_pixels", "mask")
+
         data = jfdata.process(image, metadata, double_pixels)
 
         # the pedestal file is loaded in process(), this check needs to be afterwards