diff --git a/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py b/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py
index e5383e31e68..3433c387f65 100644
--- a/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py
+++ b/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py
@@ -3226,7 +3226,7 @@ def _position_96_head_in_resource(self, resource: Resource) -> Coordinate:
 
   async def pre_initialize_instrument(self):
     """Pre-initialize instrument"""
-    return await self.send_command(module="C0", command="VI")
+    return await self.send_command(module="C0", command="VI", read_timeout=300)
 
   async def define_tip_needle(
     self,