diff --git a/AegeanTools/__init__.py b/AegeanTools/__init__.py
index 09ad562f..e78d6f87 100755
--- a/AegeanTools/__init__.py
+++ b/AegeanTools/__init__.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 """
 __author__ = 'Paul Hancock'
 __version__ = '2.2.3'
-__date__ = '2020-07-23'
+__date__ = '2021-01-06'
 __citation__ = """
 % If your work makes use of AegeanTools please cite the following papers as appropriate:
 
diff --git a/AegeanTools/wcs_helpers.py b/AegeanTools/wcs_helpers.py
index 5a034392..f7a4b3d1 100644
--- a/AegeanTools/wcs_helpers.py
+++ b/AegeanTools/wcs_helpers.py
@@ -87,6 +87,10 @@ def __init__(self, wcs, beam, pixscale, refpix, psf_file=None):
         self._psf_map = None  # image data for the psf
         self._psf_wcs = None  # wcs for the psf map
 
+        # until we can determine the difference between ra/dec based only on the wcs
+        # we must avoid using this sorting option
+        self.ra_dec_order = False
+
         # the psf in pixel coords, at the reference coordinate
         self._psf_a = None
         self._psf_b = None
@@ -100,6 +104,7 @@ def __init__(self, wcs, beam, pixscale, refpix, psf_file=None):
                                                                                    self.beam.b,
                                                                                    self.beam.pa)
 
+
     # This construct gives us an attribute 'self.psf_map' which is only loaded on demand
     @property
     def psf_map(self):
@@ -203,7 +208,7 @@ def pix2sky(self, pixel):
         """
         x, y = pixel
         # wcs and python have opposite ideas of x/y
-        return self.wcs.all_pix2world([[y, x]], 1, ra_dec_order=True)[0]
+        return self.wcs.all_pix2world([[y, x]], 1, ra_dec_order=self.ra_dec_order)[0]
 
     def sky2pix(self, pos):
         """
@@ -221,7 +226,7 @@ def sky2pix(self, pos):
             The (x,y) pixel coordinates
 
         """
-        pixel = self.wcs.all_world2pix([pos], 1, ra_dec_order=True)
+        pixel = self.wcs.all_world2pix([pos], 1, ra_dec_order=self.ra_dec_order)
         # wcs and python have opposite ideas of x/y
         return [pixel[0][1], pixel[0][0]]
 
@@ -243,7 +248,7 @@ def psf_sky2pix(self, pos):
         """
         # wcs and python have opposite ideas of x/y
         if self.psf_wcs is not None:
-            pixel = self.psf_wcs.all_world2pix([pos], 1, ra_dec_order=True)
+            pixel = self.psf_wcs.all_world2pix([pos], 1, ra_dec_order=self.ra_dec_order)
             return [pixel[0][1], pixel[0][0]]
         return None
 
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index ef24e642..1416b56a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+v 2.2.3
+=======
+Aegean
+- Fixed a bug that caused a crash if the input file was in galactic coordinates
+
 v 2.2.2
 =======
 Aegean
diff --git a/tests/test_files/1904-66_SIN.lb.fits b/tests/test_files/1904-66_SIN.lb.fits
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..018000e4
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/test_files/1904-66_SIN.lb.fits differ
diff --git a/tests/test_wcs_helpers.py b/tests/test_wcs_helpers.py
index 041e62af..e9d7bf6d 100755
--- a/tests/test_wcs_helpers.py
+++ b/tests/test_wcs_helpers.py
@@ -159,6 +159,17 @@ def test_psf_funcs():
     return
 
 
+def test_galactic_coords():
+    """Test that we can work with galactic coordinates"""
+    fname = 'tests/test_files/1904-66_SIN.lb.fits'
+    header = fits.getheader(fname)
+    try:
+        helper = WCSHelper.from_header(header)
+    except ValueError as e:
+        raise AssertionError("galactic coordinates break WCSHelper")
+    return
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # introspect and run all the functions starting with 'test'
     for f in dir():