diff --git a/dispenser/dispenserclient.go b/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
index f7dc331..39d8b75 100644
--- a/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
+++ b/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
@@ -301,16 +301,14 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserStart(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	for {
 		time.Sleep(delay * 2)
 		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
-			return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] timeout waiting keycard at encoder position", funcName)
+			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
 
-		status, err = c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
-		if err != nil {
-			return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] re-check status: %w", funcName, err)
-		}
+		status, _ = c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
 
 		stockStatus = stockTake(status)
 		c.setStock(status)
+		logStatus(status)
 
 		// error states first
 		if isCardWellEmpty(status) {
@@ -355,17 +353,14 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
 
-		status, err = c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
-		if err != nil {
-			return stockStatus, nil
-		}
+		status, _ = c.do(ctx, cmdStatus)
 
 		stockStatus = stockTake(status)
 		c.setStock(status)
 		logStatus(status)
 
 		if isCardWellEmpty(status) {
-			return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf(stockStatus)
+			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
 
 		if isAtEncoderPosition(status) {
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index a7e65cd..64408bf 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	buildVersion     = "1.2.4"
+	buildVersion     = "1.2.5"
 	serviceName      = "hardlink"
 	pollingFrequency = 8 * time.Second
 )
diff --git a/release notes.md b/release notes.md
index ec41352..5820337 100644
--- a/release notes.md	
+++ b/release notes.md	
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 builtVersion is a const in main.go
 
+#### 1.2.5 - 20 March 2026
+removed early return on error when checking dispenser status in the start and final loops.
+
 #### 1.2.4 - 18 March 2026
 added check if keycard at the encoder position before trying to encode key