diff --git a/iexcode/instruments/shutters.py b/iexcode/instruments/shutters.py
index ebeca3f54cc11355f8cdb4af343f71a985557946..6cffb7e0e9d1de95f2fd43d712a93fddb38de6b1 100644
--- a/iexcode/instruments/shutters.py
+++ b/iexcode/instruments/shutters.py
@@ -70,11 +70,13 @@ def main_shutter_check_open():
 ################################             branch shutters            ##############################
 ##############################################################################################################
 
-def branch_shutter_status(branch=iex.BL.branch,verbose=False):
+def branch_shutter_status(branch=None,verbose=False):
     """
     checks on the status of the main shutter
     and returns shutter_open = True / False
     """
+    if branch == None:
+        branch = iex.BL.branch
     pvA="PA:29ID:S"+branch+"S_BLOCKING_BEAM.VAL"
     pvB="PB:29ID:S"+branch+"S_BLOCKING_BEAM.VAL"
     #"ON" = 1 => shutter open
@@ -89,27 +91,31 @@ def branch_shutter_status(branch=iex.BL.branch,verbose=False):
         print(branch+"-shutter is "+status)
     return shutter_open
 
-def branch_shutter_close(branch=iex.BL.branch,verbose=False):
+def branch_shutter_close(branch=None,verbose=False):
     """
     closes current branch shutter
 
     Previously: Close_BranchShutter
     """
+    if branch == None:
+        branch = iex.BL.branch
     caput("PC:29ID:S"+branch+"S_CLOSE_REQUEST.VAL",1,wait=True,timeout=18000)
     print("Closing "+branch+"-Shutter...")
 
 
-def branch_shutter_open(branch=iex.BL.branch,verbose=False):
+def branch_shutter_open(branch=None,verbose=False):
     """
     Opens current branch shutter 
 
     Previoulsy: Open_BranchShutter
 
     """
+    if branch == None:
+        branch = iex.BL.branch
     shutter_status = branch_shutter_status()
     if shutter_status:
         print(branch+"-Shutter already open...")
     else:
         caput("PC:29ID:S"+branch+"S_OPEN_REQUEST.VAL",1,wait=True,timeout=18000)
         print("Opening "+branch+"-Shutter...")
-        
\ No newline at end of file
+