diff --git a/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/commands/absorbance_reader/read.py b/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/commands/absorbance_reader/read.py
index 8743fd1383b..8e8926089f1 100644
--- a/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/commands/absorbance_reader/read.py
+++ b/api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/commands/absorbance_reader/read.py
@@ -80,6 +80,10 @@ async def execute(  # noqa: C901
             raise CannotPerformModuleAction(
                 "Cannot perform Read action on Absorbance Reader without calling `.initialize(...)` first."
             )
+        if abs_reader_substate.is_lid_on is False:
+            raise CannotPerformModuleAction(
+                "Absorbance Plate Reader can't read a plate with the lid open. Call `close_lid()` first."
+            )
 
         # TODO: we need to return a file ID and increase the file count even when a moduel is not attached
         if (