diff --git a/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/state/tips.py b/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/state/tips.py
index c462b80a649..d9c0187c85a 100644
--- a/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/state/tips.py
+++ b/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/state/tips.py
@@ -84,13 +84,8 @@ def handle_action(self, action: Action) -> None:
                 pipette_id = action.private_result.pipette_id
                 nozzle_map = action.private_result.nozzle_map
                 pipette_info = self._state.pipette_info_by_pipette_id[pipette_id]
-                if nozzle_map:
-                    pipette_info.active_channels = nozzle_map.tip_count
-                    pipette_info.nozzle_map = nozzle_map
-                else:
-                    # todo(mm, 2024-10-10): nozzle_map looks always truthy--can this
-                    # else-block actually run?
-                    pipette_info.active_channels = pipette_info.channels
+                pipette_info.active_channels = nozzle_map.tip_count
+                pipette_info.nozzle_map = nozzle_map
 
         elif isinstance(action, FailCommandAction):
             self._handle_failed_command(action)