diff --git a/labscript_devices/NovaTechDDS9M.py b/labscript_devices/NovaTechDDS9M.py
index 956bab07..42539ccf 100644
--- a/labscript_devices/NovaTechDDS9M.py
+++ b/labscript_devices/NovaTechDDS9M.py
@@ -620,8 +620,8 @@ def get_traces(self, add_trace, clock=None):
             if 'TABLE_DATA' in hdf5_file['devices/%s' % self.name]:
                 table_data = hdf5_file['devices/%s/TABLE_DATA' % self.name][:]
                 connection_table_properties = labscript_utils.properties.get(hdf5_file, self.name, 'connection_table_properties')
-                update_mode = getattr(connection_table_properties, 'update_mode', 'synchronous')
-                synchronous_first_line_repeat = getattr(connection_table_properties, 'synchronous_first_line_repeat', False)
+                update_mode = connection_table_properties.get('update_mode', 'synchronous')
+                synchronous_first_line_repeat = connection_table_properties.get('synchronous_first_line_repeat', False)
                 if update_mode == 'asynchronous' or synchronous_first_line_repeat:
                     table_data = table_data[1:]
                 for i in range(2):