diff --git a/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/controllers.py b/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/controllers.py
index c8d05ea9..97cc683e 100644
--- a/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/controllers.py
+++ b/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/controllers.py
@@ -577,7 +577,10 @@ def _validate_jog_value(self):
 
     @Slot()
     def _validate_target_position_value(self):
-        self.targetPositionChanged.emit(self.target_position)
+        target_position = self.target_position
+        if not isinstance(target_position, list):
+            target_position = []
+        self.targetPositionChanged.emit(target_position)
 
     @Slot()
     def _zero_axis(self):
@@ -840,10 +843,10 @@ def target_position(self) -> List[float] | None:
     @Slot()
     def _target_position_changed(self, position):
         self.logger.info(f"DBC target position changed {self.target_position}")
-        tpos = self.target_position
-        if tpos is None:
-            tpos = []
-        self.targetPositionChanged.emit(tpos)
+        target_position = self.target_position
+        if target_position is None:
+            target_position = []
+        self.targetPositionChanged.emit(target_position)
 
     def link_motion_group(self, mg: MotionGroup):
         if not isinstance(mg, MotionGroup):
diff --git a/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/motion_group_widget.py b/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/motion_group_widget.py
index 84044a02..5d7ef085 100644
--- a/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/motion_group_widget.py
+++ b/bapsf_motion/gui/configure/motion_group_widget.py
@@ -1386,6 +1386,8 @@ def _refresh_drive_control(self):
         self.drive_control_widget.link_motion_group(self.mg)
 
         target_position = self.drive_control_widget.target_position
+        if not isinstance(target_position, list):
+            target_position = []
         self.drive_control_widget.targetPositionChanged.emit(target_position)
 
         self._update_position_in_plot()