diff --git a/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Config/SectionConfig.cs b/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Config/SectionConfig.cs
index 78a644c2..baef868f 100644
--- a/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Config/SectionConfig.cs
+++ b/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Config/SectionConfig.cs
@@ -460,7 +460,15 @@ namespace VEPROMS.CSLA.Library
 
 				if (parval.Equals(string.Empty)) // if the parent value is empty, then use the volian default
 				{
-					int rval = (int)MyFormat.MyStepSectionLayoutData.PMode;
+					int rval = 0;
+					// Use Inherited Format (ActiveFormat for Section) if MyFormat is Null
+					if (MyFormat == null)
+					{
+						FormatInfo myFormat = _Section == null ? _SectionInfo.ActiveFormat : SectionInfo.Get(_Section.ItemID).ActiveFormat;
+						rval = (int)myFormat.MyStepSectionLayoutData.PMode;
+					}
+					else
+						rval =(int)MyFormat.MyStepSectionLayoutData.PMode;
 					parval = ((SectionColumnMode)rval).ToString();
 					//parval = ((int)(SectionColumnMode.Default)).ToString();
 				}