diff --git a/pioreactor/automations/temperature/thermostat.py b/pioreactor/automations/temperature/thermostat.py
index 39acad76..4b8ac1bf 100644
--- a/pioreactor/automations/temperature/thermostat.py
+++ b/pioreactor/automations/temperature/thermostat.py
@@ -26,13 +26,12 @@ class Thermostat(TemperatureAutomationJob):
     def __init__(self, target_temperature: float | str, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
         assert target_temperature is not None, "target_temperature must be set"
-        self.target_temperature = float(target_temperature)
 
         self.pid = PID(
             Kp=config.getfloat("temperature_automation.thermostat", "Kp"),
             Ki=config.getfloat("temperature_automation.thermostat", "Ki"),
             Kd=config.getfloat("temperature_automation.thermostat", "Kd"),
-            setpoint=self.target_temperature,
+            setpoint=None,
             unit=self.unit,
             experiment=self.experiment,
             job_name=self.job_name,
@@ -40,9 +39,19 @@ def __init__(self, target_temperature: float | str, **kwargs) -> None:
             output_limits=(-25, 25),  # avoid whiplashing
         )
 
+        self.set_target_temperature(target_temperature)
+
         if not is_pio_job_running("stirring"):
             self.logger.warning("It's recommended to have stirring on when using the thermostat.")
 
+    def _clamp_target_temperature(self, target_temperature: float) -> float:
+        if target_temperature > self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP:
+            self.logger.warning(
+                f"Values over {self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP}℃ are not supported. Setting to {self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP}℃."
+            )
+
+        return clamp(0.0, target_temperature, self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP)
+
     def execute(self) -> UpdatedHeaterDC:
         while not hasattr(self, "pid"):
             # sometimes when initializing, this execute can run before the subclasses __init__ is resolved.
@@ -61,10 +70,12 @@ def execute(self) -> UpdatedHeaterDC:
             data={
                 "current_dc": self.heater_duty_cycle,
                 "delta_dc": output,
+                "target_temperature": self.target_temperature,
+                "latest_temperature": self.latest_temperature,
             },
         )
 
-    def set_target_temperature(self, target_temperature: float) -> None:
+    def set_target_temperature(self, target_temperature: float | str) -> None:
         """
 
         Parameters
@@ -77,11 +88,5 @@ def set_target_temperature(self, target_temperature: float) -> None:
 
         """
         target_temperature = float(target_temperature)
-        if target_temperature > self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP:
-            self.logger.warning(
-                f"Values over {self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP}℃ are not supported. Setting to {self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP}℃."
-            )
-
-        target_temperature = clamp(0, target_temperature, self.MAX_TARGET_TEMP)
-        self.target_temperature = target_temperature
+        self.target_temperature = self._clamp_target_temperature(target_temperature)
         self.pid.set_setpoint(self.target_temperature)
diff --git a/pioreactor/plugin_management/list_plugins.py b/pioreactor/plugin_management/list_plugins.py
index 6c9e4318..ede34ecc 100644
--- a/pioreactor/plugin_management/list_plugins.py
+++ b/pioreactor/plugin_management/list_plugins.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 @click.command(name="list", short_help="list the installed plugins")
 @click.option("--json", is_flag=True, help="output as json")
 def click_list_plugins(json: bool) -> None:
+    # this is to initialize all the modules, to plugins don't fail when being loaded.
+    from pioreactor.cli import run  # noqa: F403, F401
     from pioreactor.plugin_management import get_plugins
 
     if not json:
diff --git a/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_approximation_1_0.py b/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_approximation_1_0.py
index 288a57ba..616b53db 100644
--- a/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_approximation_1_0.py
+++ b/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_approximation_1_0.py
@@ -897,7 +897,7 @@ def test_temperature_approximation17(self) -> None:
 
         assert 25.295 <= self.t.approximate_temperature_1_0(features) <= 25.430
 
-    def test_temperature_approximation19(self) -> None:
+    def test_temperature_approximation21(self) -> None:
         # this was real data from a user
 
         ts_of_temps = [
@@ -944,3 +944,43 @@ def test_temperature_approximation19(self) -> None:
         }
 
         assert better_room_temp < self.t.approximate_temperature_1_0(features) <= 25
+
+    def test_temperature_approximation19(self) -> None:
+        # this was real data from a user
+        features = {
+            "previous_heater_dc": 1.3,
+            "room_temp": 22.0,
+            "time_series_of_temp": [
+                56.4375,
+                56.375,
+                56.3125,
+                56.302083333333336,
+                56.25,
+                56.25,
+                56.1875,
+                56.1875,
+                56.177083333333336,
+                56.135416666666664,
+                56.125,
+                56.125,
+                56.104166666666664,
+                56.083333333333336,
+                56.0625,
+                56.0625,
+                56.0625,
+                56.0625,
+                56.0625,
+                56.041666666666664,
+                56.052083333333336,
+                56.020833333333336,
+                56.0,
+                56.0,
+                56.0,
+                56.0,
+                56.0,
+                56.0,
+                56.0,
+            ],
+        }
+
+        assert 55.5 <= self.t.approximate_temperature_1_0(features) <= 56.5
diff --git a/pioreactor/utils/streaming_calculations.py b/pioreactor/utils/streaming_calculations.py
index 7187e4f1..89916d60 100644
--- a/pioreactor/utils/streaming_calculations.py
+++ b/pioreactor/utils/streaming_calculations.py
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ def __init__(
         Kp: float,
         Ki: float,
         Kd: float,
-        setpoint: float,
+        setpoint: float | None,
         output_limits: tuple[Optional[float], Optional[float]] = (None, None),
         sample_time: Optional[float] = None,
         unit: Optional[str] = None,
@@ -478,6 +478,7 @@ def update(self, input_: float, dt: float = 1.0) -> float:
         Updates the controller's internal state with the current error and time step,
         and returns the controller output.
         """
+        assert isinstance(self.setpoint, float)
 
         error = self.setpoint - input_
         # Update error sum with clamping for anti-windup