diff --git a/qcodes/instrument_drivers/oxford/mercuryiPS.py b/qcodes/instrument_drivers/oxford/mercuryiPS.py
index c86cc4b0951a..c311bb7bef87 100644
--- a/qcodes/instrument_drivers/oxford/mercuryiPS.py
+++ b/qcodes/instrument_drivers/oxford/mercuryiPS.py
@@ -207,8 +207,12 @@ def _ramp_to_setpoint(self, ax, cmd, setpoint):
         self._set_fld(ax, cmd, setpoint)
         self.rtos()
         if self.hold_after_set():
-            while not all(['HOLD' == getattr(self, a.lower() + '_ACTN')() for a in ax]):
-                time.sleep(0.1)
+            try:
+                while not all(['HOLD' == getattr(self, a.lower() + '_ACTN')() for a in ax]):
+                    time.sleep(0.1)
+            except KeyboardInterrupt:
+                self.hold()
+                raise KeyboardInterrupt
 
     def _ramp_to_setpoint_and_wait(self, ax, cmd, setpoint):
         error = 0.2e-3