diff --git a/src/sed/loader/mpes/metadata.py b/src/sed/loader/mpes/metadata.py
index e4869fd6..f1562e3f 100644
--- a/src/sed/loader/mpes/metadata.py
+++ b/src/sed/loader/mpes/metadata.py
@@ -328,6 +328,11 @@ def fetch_elab_metadata(self, runs: list[str], metadata: dict) -> dict:
             elif metadata["elabFTW"]["scan"]["probe_polarization"] == "p":
                 metadata["elabFTW"]["scan"]["probe_polarization"] = 0
 
+        # remove pump information if pump not applied:
+        if not metadata["elabFTW"]["scan"].get("pump_status", 0):
+            if "pump_photon_energy" in metadata["elabFTW"].get("laser_status", {}):
+                del metadata["elabFTW"]["laser_status"]["pump_photon_energy"]
+
         return metadata