diff --git a/datapool/PoolDataSetBase.cpp b/datapool/PoolDataSetBase.cpp
index 1acd3fd3b..cb2348f72 100644
--- a/datapool/PoolDataSetBase.cpp
+++ b/datapool/PoolDataSetBase.cpp
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ uint16_t PoolDataSetBase::getFillCount() const {
 
 ReturnValue_t PoolDataSetBase::readVariable(uint16_t count) {
 	ReturnValue_t result = HasReturnvaluesIF::RETURN_OK;
+	if(registeredVariables[count] == nullptr) {
+	    // configuration error.
+	    return HasReturnvaluesIF::RETURN_FAILED;
+	}
+
 	// These checks are often performed by the respective
 	// variable implementation too, but I guess a double check does not hurt.
 	if (registeredVariables[count]->getReadWriteMode() !=
diff --git a/datapoollocal/LocalDataPoolManager.h b/datapoollocal/LocalDataPoolManager.h
index e55efa9c5..c3b385e81 100644
--- a/datapoollocal/LocalDataPoolManager.h
+++ b/datapoollocal/LocalDataPoolManager.h
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ public:
     static constexpr ReturnValue_t WRONG_HK_PACKET_TYPE = MAKE_RETURN_CODE(0x03);
     static constexpr ReturnValue_t REPORTING_STATUS_UNCHANGED = MAKE_RETURN_CODE(0x04);
     static constexpr ReturnValue_t PERIODIC_HELPER_INVALID = MAKE_RETURN_CODE(0x05);
+
     /**
      * This constructor is used by a class which wants to implement
      * a personal local data pool. The queueToUse can be supplied if it
@@ -73,14 +74,20 @@ public:
 	virtual~ LocalDataPoolManager();
 
 	/**
-	 * Initializes the map by calling the map initialization function of the
-	 * owner and assigns the queue to use.
+	 * Assigns the queue to use.
 	 * @param queueToUse
 	 * @param nonDiagInvlFactor See #setNonDiagnosticIntervalFactor doc
 	 * @return
 	 */
 	ReturnValue_t initialize(MessageQueueIF* queueToUse);
 
+	/**
+	 * Initializes the map by calling the map initialization function and
+	 * setting the periodic factor for non-diagnostic packets.
+	 * Don't forget to call this, otherwise the map will be invalid!
+	 * @param nonDiagInvlFactor
+	 * @return
+	 */
 	ReturnValue_t initializeAfterTaskCreation(uint8_t nonDiagInvlFactor = 5);
 
 	/**
diff --git a/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.cpp b/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.cpp
index 4cdab9e73..943ae8b30 100644
--- a/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.cpp
+++ b/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.cpp
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ ReturnValue_t InternalErrorReporter::initializeLocalDataPool(
     // todo: Only send HK if values have changed, will be supported by
     // pool manager soon.
     poolManager.subscribeForPeriodicPacket(internalErrorSid, false,
-            getPeriodicOperationFrequency(), false);
+            getPeriodicOperationFrequency(), true);
     return HasReturnvaluesIF::RETURN_OK;
 }
 
@@ -185,3 +185,8 @@ ReturnValue_t InternalErrorReporter::initialize() {
     }
     return SystemObject::initialize();
 }
+
+ReturnValue_t InternalErrorReporter::initializeAfterTaskCreation() {
+    return poolManager.initializeAfterTaskCreation();
+}
+
diff --git a/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.h b/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.h
index c715f7a07..8d33c06e2 100644
--- a/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.h
+++ b/internalError/InternalErrorReporter.h
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ public:
     virtual LocalPoolDataSetBase* getDataSetHandle(sid_t sid) override;
 
     virtual ReturnValue_t initialize() override;
+    virtual ReturnValue_t initializeAfterTaskCreation() override;
 	virtual ReturnValue_t performOperation(uint8_t opCode) override;
 
 	virtual void queueMessageNotSent();