diff --git a/proseco/__init__.py b/proseco/__init__.py
index bdd753b..34fa071 100644
--- a/proseco/__init__.py
+++ b/proseco/__init__.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def get_aca_catalog(*args, **kwargs):
     :param target_offset: (y, z) target offset including dynamical offset
                           (2-element sequence (y, z), deg)
     :param dyn_bgd_n_faint: number of faint stars to apply the dynamic background
-        temperature bonus ``dyn_bgd_dt_ccd`` (default=0)
+        temperature bonus ``dyn_bgd_dt_ccd`` (default=2)
     :param dyn_bgd_dt_ccd: dynamic background T_ccd temperature bonus (default=-4.0, degC)
     :param stars: table of AGASC stars (will be fetched from agasc if None)
     :param include_ids_acq: list of AGASC IDs of stars to include in acq catalog
diff --git a/proseco/core.py b/proseco/core.py
index 2b2d726..19ba8ec 100644
--- a/proseco/core.py
+++ b/proseco/core.py
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ class ACACatalogTable(BaseCatalogTable):
     sim_offset = MetaAttribute()
     focus_offset = MetaAttribute()
     target_offset = MetaAttribute(default=(0.0, 0.0))
-    dyn_bgd_n_faint = MetaAttribute(default=0)
+    dyn_bgd_n_faint = MetaAttribute(default=2)
     dyn_bgd_dt_ccd = MetaAttribute(default=-4.0)
     stars = MetaAttribute(pickle=False)
     include_ids_acq = IntListMetaAttribute(default=[])
diff --git a/proseco/guide.py b/proseco/guide.py
index 6460bb0..a67ca5d 100644
--- a/proseco/guide.py
+++ b/proseco/guide.py
@@ -376,26 +376,32 @@ def drop_excess_bonus_stars(self, guides):
         For dyn bgd with dyn_bgd_n_faint > 0, candidates fainter then the
         nominal faint limit can be selected. However, only at most
         dyn_bgd_n_faint of these bonus faint stars are allowed in the final
-        catalog.
+        catalog (unless more are force-included).
 
         This method removes faint bonus stars (in-place within ``guides``) in
         excess of the allowed dyn_bgd_n_faint number. It is assumed that the
         catalog order is by star preference ('stage', 'mag'), so bonus stars
         that come first are kept.
 
+        Force included stars are not removed.
+
         :param guides: Table of guide stars
         """
-        n_bonus = 0
-        idx = 0
         # Compute the non-bonus faint_mag_limit
         faint_mag_limit = snr_mag_for_t_ccd(
             self.t_ccd, ref_mag=GUIDE.ref_faint_mag, ref_t_ccd=GUIDE.ref_faint_mag_t_ccd
         )
+        n_faint = 0
         idxs_drop = []
         for idx in range(len(guides)):
             if guides["mag"][idx] > faint_mag_limit:
-                n_bonus += 1
-                if n_bonus > self.dyn_bgd_n_faint:
+                n_faint += 1
+                # If we have more than the allowed number of faint bonus stars
+                # and the star is not force-included, mark it for removal.
+                if (
+                    n_faint > self.dyn_bgd_n_faint
+                    and guides["id"][idx] not in self.include_ids
+                ):
                     idxs_drop.append(idx)
         if idxs_drop:
             guides.remove_rows(idxs_drop)
diff --git a/proseco/tests/test_catalog.py b/proseco/tests/test_catalog.py
index 723f52a..160b0d2 100644
--- a/proseco/tests/test_catalog.py
+++ b/proseco/tests/test_catalog.py
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ def test_get_aca_catalog_20603_with_supplement():
     kwargs = dict(
         obsid=20603,
         exclude_ids_acq=[40113544],
+        dyn_bgd_n_faint=0,
         n_fid=2,
         n_guide=6,
         n_acq=7,
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ def test_get_aca_catalog_20603(proseco_agasc_1p7):
     aca = get_aca_catalog(
         20603,
         exclude_ids_acq=[40113544],
+        dyn_bgd_n_faint=0,
         n_fid=2,
         n_guide=6,
         n_acq=7,
diff --git a/proseco/tests/test_guide.py b/proseco/tests/test_guide.py
index dc0bd2d..d0988c7 100644
--- a/proseco/tests/test_guide.py
+++ b/proseco/tests/test_guide.py
@@ -654,7 +654,9 @@ def test_guides_include_close():
     # Force include the faint 4 stars that are also close together
     include_ids = [21, 22, 23, 24]
     cat2 = get_guide_catalog(
-        **mod_std_info(n_guide=5), stars=stars, include_ids_guide=include_ids
+        **mod_std_info(n_guide=5),
+        stars=stars,
+        include_ids_guide=include_ids,
     )
 
     # Run the cluster checks and confirm all 3 fail
@@ -785,14 +787,19 @@ def test_guide_faint_mag_limit():
         mag=[7.0] * 4 + [GUIDE.ref_faint_mag - 0.001], n_stars=5, id=ids
     )
 
-    # Select stars at 0.1 degC colder than reference temperature, expect 5 stars selected
+    # Select stars at 0.1 degC colder than reference temperature, use previous default of
+    # dyn_bgd_n_faint=0 for this test, expect 5 stars selected
     guides = get_guide_catalog(
-        **mod_std_info(t_ccd=GUIDE.ref_faint_mag_t_ccd - 0.1), stars=stars, dark=DARK40
+        **mod_std_info(t_ccd=GUIDE.ref_faint_mag_t_ccd - 0.1, dyn_bgd_n_faint=0),
+        stars=stars,
+        dark=DARK40,
     )
     assert np.all(guides["id"] == ids)
 
     # Select stars at 0.1 degC warmer than reference temperature, expect 4 stars selected
     guides = get_guide_catalog(
-        **mod_std_info(t_ccd=GUIDE.ref_faint_mag_t_ccd + 0.1), stars=stars, dark=DARK40
+        **mod_std_info(t_ccd=GUIDE.ref_faint_mag_t_ccd + 0.1, dyn_bgd_n_faint=0),
+        stars=stars,
+        dark=DARK40,
     )
     assert np.all(guides["id"] == [1, 2, 3, 4])