diff --git a/dsmApp/src/MD90Driver.cpp b/dsmApp/src/MD90Driver.cpp
index b522fb9..afdeeb6 100644
--- a/dsmApp/src/MD90Driver.cpp
+++ b/dsmApp/src/MD90Driver.cpp
@@ -380,6 +380,10 @@ asynStatus MD90Axis::poll(bool *moving)
   sscanf (pC_->inString_, "%d: %[^:]: %d", &replyStatus, replyString, &replyValue);
   setDoubleParam(pC_->motorIGain_, replyValue);
 
+  // set some default params
+  setIntegerParam(pC_->motorStatusHasEncoder_, 1);
+  setIntegerParam(pC_->motorStatusGainSupport_, 1);
+
   skip:
   setIntegerParam(pC_->motorStatusProblem_, comStatus ? 1:0);
   callParamCallbacks();