diff --git a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/autofocus.py b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/autofocus.py
index 9bb4b801..5cbc050c 100644
--- a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/autofocus.py
+++ b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/autofocus.py
@@ -775,8 +775,8 @@ class AutofocusThing(lt.Thing):
             target_offset = -total_range
         else:
             target_offset = 0
-
-        self._stage.move_relative(z=target_offset)
+        if target_offset != 0:
+            self._stage.move_relative(z=target_offset)
 
         # Capture images_to_save images
         for move_count in range(stack_parameters.images_to_save):
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_stack.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_stack.py
index 6adf2df7..6e022143 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_stack.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_stack.py
@@ -694,7 +694,6 @@ def test_run_basic_stack_simple(
         stack_dz=10,
         images_to_save=3,
         settling_time=0,
-        backlash_correction=0,
         origin=StackOrigin.START,
     )
 
@@ -757,7 +756,6 @@ def test_run_basic_stack_center_origin(
         stack_dz=10,
         images_to_save=5,
         settling_time=0,
-        backlash_correction=0,
         origin=StackOrigin.CENTER,
     )
 
@@ -804,97 +802,6 @@ def test_run_basic_stack_center_origin(
     assert final_z == expected_final_z, "Final Z position is incorrect"
 
 
-def test_run_basic_stack_backlash_applied(
-    autofocus_thing, mocker, fake_capture, fake_move_relative
-):
-    """Backlash correction should overshoot first, then move back before starting stack."""
-    stack_params = StackParams(
-        stack_dz=10,
-        images_to_save=3,
-        settling_time=0,
-        backlash_correction=50,
-        origin=StackOrigin.START,
-    )
-
-    capture_params = mocker.Mock()
-    capture_params.images_dir = "dummy"
-    capture_params.save_resolution = (100, 100)
-
-    start_z = 0
-    autofocus_thing._stage.position = {"x": 0, "y": 0, "z": start_z}
-
-    autofocus_thing.capture_stack_image = mocker.Mock(side_effect=fake_capture)
-    autofocus_thing._stage.move_relative = mocker.Mock(side_effect=fake_move_relative)
-    autofocus_thing._cam.save_from_memory = mocker.Mock()
-    autofocus_thing._cam.clear_buffers = mocker.Mock()
-
-    autofocus_thing.run_basic_stack(stack_params, capture_params)
-
-    calls = autofocus_thing._stage.move_relative.call_args_list
-
-    # First move is overshoot for backlash
-    assert calls[0].kwargs["z"] == -stack_params.backlash_correction, (
-        "Backlash overshoot not applied correctly"
-    )
-
-    # Second move corrects back to starting point
-    assert calls[1].kwargs["z"] == stack_params.backlash_correction, (
-        "Backlash correction move not applied correctly"
-    )
-
-
-def test_run_basic_stack_backlash_and_offset(
-    autofocus_thing, mocker, fake_capture, fake_move_relative
-):
-    """Backlash correction and stack offset both applied.
-
-    Stack should begin by moving down by half the height of the stack,
-    plus backlash correction, then move up by backlash correction, then run the basic stack.
-    """
-    stack_params = StackParams(
-        stack_dz=100,
-        images_to_save=3,
-        settling_time=0,
-        backlash_correction=50,
-        origin=StackOrigin.CENTER,
-    )
-
-    capture_params = mocker.Mock()
-    capture_params.images_dir = "dummy"
-    capture_params.save_resolution = (100, 100)
-
-    start_z = 0
-    autofocus_thing._stage.position = {"x": 0, "y": 0, "z": start_z}
-
-    autofocus_thing.capture_stack_image = mocker.Mock(side_effect=fake_capture)
-    autofocus_thing._stage.move_relative = mocker.Mock(side_effect=fake_move_relative)
-    autofocus_thing._cam.save_from_memory = mocker.Mock()
-    autofocus_thing._cam.clear_buffers = mocker.Mock()
-
-    autofocus_thing.run_basic_stack(stack_params, capture_params)
-
-    calls = autofocus_thing._stage.move_relative.call_args_list
-
-    # Combined initial offset + backlash overshoot
-    total_stack_range = stack_params.stack_dz * (stack_params.images_to_save - 1)
-    expected_first_move = -(total_stack_range // 2 + stack_params.backlash_correction)
-    assert calls[0].kwargs["z"] == expected_first_move, (
-        "Combined overshoot not applied correctly"
-    )
-
-    # Backlash correction back to base of stack
-    assert calls[1].kwargs["z"] == stack_params.backlash_correction, (
-        "Backlash correction move not applied correctly"
-    )
-
-    # Subsequent moves in stack
-    expected_stack_moves = [stack_params.stack_dz] * (stack_params.images_to_save - 1)
-    actual_stack_moves = [c.kwargs["z"] for c in calls[2:]]
-    assert actual_stack_moves == expected_stack_moves, (
-        "Stack moves after backlash/offset not correct"
-    )
-
-
 def test_run_basic_stack_end_origin(
     autofocus_thing, mocker, fake_capture, fake_move_relative
 ):
@@ -903,7 +810,6 @@ def test_run_basic_stack_end_origin(
         stack_dz=10,
         images_to_save=4,
         settling_time=0,
-        backlash_correction=0,
         origin=StackOrigin.END,
     )
 
@@ -948,7 +854,6 @@ def test_invalid_stack_images_raises():
                 stack_dz=10,
                 images_to_save=capture_count,
                 settling_time=0,
-                backlash_correction=0,
                 origin=StackOrigin.START,
             )
 
@@ -960,7 +865,6 @@ def test_invalid_stack_settling_raises():
             stack_dz=10,
             images_to_save=1,
             settling_time=-1,
-            backlash_correction=0,
             origin=StackOrigin.START,
         )