diff --git a/pioreactor/actions/od_blank.py b/pioreactor/actions/od_blank.py
index b2bd7079..8668a0ba 100644
--- a/pioreactor/actions/od_blank.py
+++ b/pioreactor/actions/od_blank.py
@@ -160,6 +160,10 @@ def od_blank(
     logger = create_logger(action_name, unit=unit, experiment=experiment)
     logger.info("Starting blank OD calibration.")
 
+    if is_pio_job_running("od_reading"):
+        logger.error("OD Reading should be off. Perform OD Blanking _before_ OD Reading.")
+        raise click.Abort()
+
     with managed_lifecycle(unit, experiment, action_name):
         try:
             with temporary_config_change(config, "stirring.config", "enable_dodging_od", "False"):
diff --git a/pioreactor/config.py b/pioreactor/config.py
index 47953db8..a023ebf0 100644
--- a/pioreactor/config.py
+++ b/pioreactor/config.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def _get_conv(self, section, option, conv, *, raw=False, vars=None, fallback=Non
         except TypeError as e:
             from pioreactor.logging import create_logger
 
-            create_logger("read config").error(e)
+            create_logger("read config").error(f"Error in [{section}] parameter {option}: {e}")
             raise e
 
     def getboolean(self, section: str, option: str, *args, **kwargs) -> bool:  # type: ignore
diff --git a/pioreactor/version.py b/pioreactor/version.py
index 37dfdfed..190a6d6b 100644
--- a/pioreactor/version.py
+++ b/pioreactor/version.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 # Append "dev0" if a dev version
 # Append "rc0" if a rc version
 # No zero padding!
-__version__ = "24.12.5"
+__version__ = "24.12.5.dev0"
 
 
 def get_hardware_version() -> tuple[int, int] | tuple[int, int, str]: