diff --git a/examples/channel_config_widget.py b/examples/channel_config_widget.py
index 7df4c8c56..ae7a2a1ec 100644
--- a/examples/channel_config_widget.py
+++ b/examples/channel_config_widget.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from pymmcore_widgets import OpticalConfigDialog
 
 core = CMMCorePlus().instance()
-core.loadSystemConfiguration(r"c:\Users\Admin\Desktop\test.cfg")
+core.loadSystemConfiguration()
 app = QApplication([])
 ocd = OpticalConfigDialog()
 ocd.load_group("Channel")
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/_oc_dialog.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/_oc_dialog.py
index dc09fdc90..ba0d3c1d5 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/_oc_dialog.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/_oc_dialog.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
     QVBoxLayout,
     QWidget,
 )
+from superqt.utils import signals_blocked
 
 from pymmcore_widgets._device_property_table import DevicePropertyTable
 from pymmcore_widgets._objective_widget import ObjectivesWidget
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ def __init__(
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(parent)
         self._core = mmcore or CMMCorePlus.instance()
+        self._model = ConfigGroup("")
 
         self.groups = QComboBox(self)
         self.groups.addItems(self._core.getAvailableConfigGroups())
@@ -154,9 +156,10 @@ def _activate_oc(self) -> None:
     def load_group(self, group: str) -> None:
         self.groups.setCurrentText(group)
 
-        self._name_list.clear()
-        for n in self._core.getAvailableConfigs(group):
-            self._add_editable_item(n)
+        with signals_blocked(self._name_list):
+            self._name_list.clear()
+            for n in self._core.getAvailableConfigs(group):
+                self._add_editable_item(n)
 
         self._model = ConfigGroup.create_from_core(self._core, group)
         self._name_list.setCurrentRow(0)