diff --git a/gui/preset_controls.py b/gui/preset_controls.py
index cc044e6..01a5755 100644
--- a/gui/preset_controls.py
+++ b/gui/preset_controls.py
@@ -375,20 +375,26 @@ class PresetControls(QWidget):
             arp_settings = preset.get("arpeggiator", {})
             
             # Only apply settings that aren't overridden
-            if not self._is_parameter_overridden('root_note'):
+            # Check both root_note and octave overrides for root note changes
+            if not self._is_parameter_overridden('root_note') and not self._is_parameter_overridden('octave'):
                 self.arpeggiator.set_root_note(arp_settings.get("root_note", 60))
+                print(f"DEBUG: Applied root_note: {arp_settings.get('root_note', 60)}")
+            else:
+                override_type = "root_note" if self._is_parameter_overridden('root_note') else "octave"
+                print(f"DEBUG: Skipping root_note - {override_type} parameter is overridden")
             if not self._is_parameter_overridden('scale'):
                 self.arpeggiator.set_scale(arp_settings.get("scale", "major"))
             if not self._is_parameter_overridden('scale_note_start'):
                 self.arpeggiator.set_scale_note_start(arp_settings.get("scale_note_start", 0))
             if not self._is_parameter_overridden('pattern_type'):
                 self.arpeggiator.set_pattern_type(arp_settings.get("pattern_type", "up"))
+            # Check for octave override when changing octave_range
             if not self._is_parameter_overridden('octave'):
                 octave_range = arp_settings.get("octave_range", 1)
                 print(f"DEBUG: Applying octave_range: {octave_range}")
                 self.arpeggiator.set_octave_range(octave_range)
             else:
-                print(f"DEBUG: Skipping octave_range - parameter is overridden")
+                print(f"DEBUG: Skipping octave_range - octave parameter is overridden")
             if not self._is_parameter_overridden('note_speed'):
                 self.arpeggiator.set_note_speed(arp_settings.get("note_speed", "1/8"))
             if not self._is_parameter_overridden('gate'):