diff --git a/jdaviz/core/validunits.py b/jdaviz/core/validunits.py
index 97b4c06059..b20b5825a3 100644
--- a/jdaviz/core/validunits.py
+++ b/jdaviz/core/validunits.py
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 from astropy import units as u
 import itertools
 
-__all__ = ['units_to_strings', 'create_spectral_equivalencies_list',
+__all__ = ['supported_sq_angle_units', 'units_to_strings', 'create_spectral_equivalencies_list',
            'create_flux_equivalencies_list', 'check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle']
 
+def supported_sq_angle_units():
+    return [u.pix*u.pix, u.sr]
 
 def units_to_strings(unit_list):
     """Convert equivalencies into readable versions of the units.
diff --git a/jdaviz/utils.py b/jdaviz/utils.py
index 0546ff3213..ddd84f2265 100644
--- a/jdaviz/utils.py
+++ b/jdaviz/utils.py
@@ -471,8 +471,9 @@ def _indirect_conversion(values, orig_units, targ_units, eqv,
 
     # make these an input parameter since they're already determined
     # here for now until i make sure this function isn't called elsewhere
-    solid_angle_in_orig = check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(orig_units)
-    solid_angle_in_targ = check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(targ_units)
+    solid_angle_in_orig = check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(orig_units, return_unit=True)
+    solid_angle_in_targ = check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(targ_units, return_unit=True)
+    solid_angle_in_spec = check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(spec_unit, return_unit=True)
 
     # indirect units cannot be directly converted, and require
     # additional conversions to reach the desired end unit.
@@ -480,6 +481,9 @@ def _indirect_conversion(values, orig_units, targ_units, eqv,
             and not check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(spec_unit)):
         if u.Unit(targ_units) in indirect_units():
             temp_targ = targ_units * solid_angle_in_targ
+            print('temp_targ', temp_targ)
+            print('solid angle in targ', solid_angle_in_targ)
+            print('orig_units', orig_units)
             values = (values * orig_units).to_value(temp_targ, equivalencies=eqv)
             orig_units = u.Unit(temp_targ)
             return values, orig_units, 'orig'
@@ -491,9 +495,9 @@ def _indirect_conversion(values, orig_units, targ_units, eqv,
 
         return values, targ_units, 'targ'
 
-    elif image_data or (spec_unit and check_if_unit_is_per_solid_angle(spec_unit)):
+    elif image_data or (spec_unit and solid_angle_in_spec):
         if not solid_angle_in_targ:
-            targ_units /= solid_angle_in_targ
+            targ_units /= solid_angle_in_spec
         if ((u.Unit(targ_units) in indirect_units()) or
            (u.Unit(orig_units) in indirect_units())):
             # SB -> Flux -> Flux -> SB