diff --git a/proseco/report_acq.py b/proseco/report_acq.py
index c92b97a1..30a95aaf 100644
--- a/proseco/report_acq.py
+++ b/proseco/report_acq.py
@@ -317,8 +317,9 @@ def make_report(obsid, rootdir='.'):
     context['include_halfws'] = ", ".join([str(val) for val in acqs.include_halfws])
     context['exclude_ids'] = ", ".join([str(val) for val in acqs.exclude_ids])
 
-    # Get information that is not stored in the acqs pickle for space reasons
-    acqs.stars = StarsTable.from_agasc(acqs.att, date=acqs.date)
+    # Get stars if not already set (e.g. if acqs is coming from a pickle).  If
+    # acqs.stars is already correctly defined this does nothing.
+    acqs.set_stars()
 
     events = make_events(acqs)
     context['events'] = events
diff --git a/proseco/report_guide.py b/proseco/report_guide.py
index a0f2bfe7..a451b5ea 100644
--- a/proseco/report_guide.py
+++ b/proseco/report_guide.py
@@ -68,8 +68,9 @@ def make_report(obsid, rootdir='.'):
     context['include_ids'] = ", ".join([str(val) for val in guides.include_ids])
     context['exclude_ids'] = ", ".join([str(val) for val in guides.exclude_ids])
 
-    # Get information that is not stored in the acqs pickle for space reasons
-    guides.stars = StarsTable.from_agasc(guides.att, date=guides.date)
+    # Get stars if not already set (e.g. if guides is coming from a pickle).  If
+    # guides.stars is already correctly defined this does nothing.
+    guides.set_stars()
 
     # For include/exclude stars, add some bookkeeping (the forced column)
     cand_guides['forced'] = False