diff --git a/validphys2/src/validphys/config.py b/validphys2/src/validphys/config.py
index 0faab45183..282d9ceb65 100644
--- a/validphys2/src/validphys/config.py
+++ b/validphys2/src/validphys/config.py
@@ -381,8 +381,6 @@ def produce_cuts(self, *, commondata, use_cuts, rules, fit=None, theoryid=None):
             except LoadFailedError as e:
                 raise ConfigError(e) from e
         elif use_cuts is CutsPolicy.INTERNAL:
-            if not theoryid:
-                raise ConfigError("theoryid must be specified for internal cuts")
             return self.loader.check_internal_cuts(commondata, rules)
         elif use_cuts is CutsPolicy.FROM_CUT_INTERSECTION_NAMESPACE:
             cut_list = []
@@ -1046,9 +1044,9 @@ def parse_default_filter_rules_recorded_spec_(self, spec):
 
     def produce_rules(
         self,
-        theoryid,
         use_cuts,
         defaults,
+        theoryid=None,
         default_filter_rules=None,
         filter_rules=None,
         default_filter_rules_recorded_spec_=None,
@@ -1061,17 +1059,27 @@ def produce_rules(
             default_filter_rules_input,
         )
 
-        theory_parameters = theoryid.get_description()
-
         if filter_rules is None:
             # Don't bother loading the rules if we are not using them.
             if use_cuts is not CutsPolicy.INTERNAL:
                 return None
             if default_filter_rules_recorded_spec_ is not None:
+                # For when using a lockfile as a runcard
                 filter_rules = default_filter_rules_recorded_spec_[default_filter_rules]
+            elif default_filter_rules is not None:
+                # For when a rules spec is specified
+                filter_rules = self.load_default_default_filter_rules(default_filter_rules)
             else:
                 filter_rules = default_filter_rules_input()
 
+        if theoryid is None:
+            raise ConfigError(
+                "Valid theoryid is required when rules are set to "
+                f"`{CutsPolicy.INTERNAL}`"
+            )
+
+        theory_parameters = theoryid.get_description()
+
         try:
             rule_list = [
                 Rule(
@@ -1148,12 +1156,17 @@ def produce_defaults(
             raise ConfigError("w2min defined multiple times with different values")
 
         if default_filter_settings_recorded_spec_ is not None:
+            # If running on a lockfile
             filter_defaults = default_filter_settings_recorded_spec_[
                 default_filter_settings
             ]
             # If we find recorded specs return immediately and don't read q2min and w2min
             # from runcard
             return filter_defaults
+        elif default_filter_settings is not None:
+            # If the user requests to read from a pre existing settings lockfile
+            filter_defaults = self.load_default_default_filter_settings(default_filter_settings)
+            defaults_loaded = True
         elif not filter_defaults:
             filter_defaults = default_filter_settings_input()
             defaults_loaded = True