diff --git a/main.lua b/main.lua
index 06552e1..f40d7ba 100644
--- a/main.lua
+++ b/main.lua
@@ -710,6 +710,14 @@ function UpdateGlobalThrust()
     -- depending on the desired thrust vectors, some counteractive desired thrust vectors will be ignored
 
     -- lateral thrust
+    -- verify that SensorData.Velocity.Raw is not nil
+    if SensorData.Velocity.Raw == nil then
+        if Config.Debug then
+            print("DEBUG: SensorData.Velocity.Raw is nil, skipping UpdateGlobalThrust")
+        end
+        return
+    end
+
     local desiredLateralThrustVectors = {}
 
     for f, v in pairs(SensorData.Velocity.Raw) do
@@ -739,6 +747,14 @@ function UpdateGlobalThrust()
     end
 
     -- angular thrust
+    -- verify that SensorData.Gimbal.AngularRates is not nil
+    if SensorData.Gimbal.AngularRates == nil then
+        if Config.Debug then
+            print("DEBUG: SensorData.Gimbal.AngularRates is nil, skipping UpdateGlobalThrust")
+        end
+        return
+    end
+
     local desiredAngularThrustVectors = {}
 
     for f, v in pairs(SensorData.Gimbal.AngularRates) do
@@ -933,6 +949,11 @@ function Main()
     print("Mainloop starting. Press 'q' to stop the loop and save configuration changes.")
     while sentinel do
 
+        PollSensors()
+        
+        UpdateStabilization()
+        UpdateGlobalThrust()
+
         -- Update monitor displays
         if Config.Monitors.InstrumentPanelMonitor then
             displayInstrumentPanel(Config.Monitors.InstrumentPanelMonitor, SensorData)
@@ -947,10 +968,6 @@ function Main()
             partiallyUpdateThrusters(unindexedThrusters)
         end
 
-        PollSensors()
-        UpdateGlobalThrust()
-        UpdateStabilization()
-
         local function getTerminateEvent()
             local event, key, is_held = os.pullEventRaw("key")
             if keys.getName(key) == "q" then