diff --git a/omotion/config.py b/omotion/config.py
index 862367f3..4fc8ed89 100644
--- a/omotion/config.py
+++ b/omotion/config.py
@@ -403,6 +403,9 @@ def merge_trigger_config(*overrides) -> dict:
 # Console running on its built-in default config because no valid stored
 # record was found (console-fw CFW-03). Cleared by writing a config.
 TRIG_INTERLOCK_CONFIG: int = 0x08
+# EE or OPT safety FPGA STATUS could not be read for several polls in a row
+# (console-fw CFW-04). Clears once both read again with no fault.
+TRIG_INTERLOCK_SAFETY_UNKNOWN: int = 0x10
 TRIG_START_TIMER_FAILED: int = 0x80
 
 _TRIG_REFUSAL_REASONS = (
@@ -410,6 +413,7 @@ def merge_trigger_config(*overrides) -> dict:
     (TRIG_INTERLOCK_LASER_SAFETY, "laser-safety fault latched (EE/OPT safety FPGA)"),
     (TRIG_INTERLOCK_TEC, "TEC thermal trip (clears about 5 s after the TEC recovers)"),
     (TRIG_INTERLOCK_CONFIG, "console user config invalid or missing; running on defaults until a config is written"),
+    (TRIG_INTERLOCK_SAFETY_UNKNOWN, "laser-safety FPGA status unreadable (EE/OPT not responding)"),
     (TRIG_START_TIMER_FAILED, "FSYNC timer failed to start"),
 )
 
diff --git a/tests/test_trigger_limits.py b/tests/test_trigger_limits.py
index 333d5d18..91f3a37e 100644
--- a/tests/test_trigger_limits.py
+++ b/tests/test_trigger_limits.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
     OW_RESP,
     TRIG_INTERLOCK_CONFIG,
     TRIG_INTERLOCK_LASER_SAFETY,
+    TRIG_INTERLOCK_SAFETY_UNKNOWN,
     TRIG_INTERLOCK_TEC,
     TRIG_START_TIMER_FAILED,
     TRIGGER_JSON_MAX,
@@ -124,7 +125,8 @@ def test_describe_trigger_refusal():
     assert "timer" in describe_trigger_refusal(TRIG_START_TIMER_FAILED)
     assert "config invalid or missing" in describe_trigger_refusal(TRIG_INTERLOCK_CONFIG)
     assert "unknown" not in describe_trigger_refusal(TRIG_INTERLOCK_CONFIG | TRIG_INTERLOCK_TEC)
-    assert "0x10" in describe_trigger_refusal(0x10)
+    assert "unreadable" in describe_trigger_refusal(TRIG_INTERLOCK_SAFETY_UNKNOWN)
+    assert "0x20" in describe_trigger_refusal(0x20)
     assert "no status byte" in describe_trigger_refusal(None)