diff --git a/process/profiles.py b/process/profiles.py
index a2cf61dac8..c86714c2f7 100644
--- a/process/profiles.py
+++ b/process/profiles.py
@@ -301,7 +301,10 @@ def calculate_profile_y(
             tbeta (float): Second temperature exponent.
         """
         if physics_variables.i_plasma_pedestal == 0:
-            self.profile_y = t0 * (1 - rho**2) ** alphat
+            # profile values of 0 cause divide by 0 errors so ensure the profile value is at least 1e-8
+            # which is small enough that it won't make a difference to any calculations
+            self.profile_y = np.maximum(t0 * (1 - rho**2) ** alphat, 1e-8)
+            return
 
         if t0 < temp_plasma_pedestal_kev:
             logger.info(