diff --git a/klippy/kinematics/extruder.py b/klippy/kinematics/extruder.py
index f0264e1e..6e3e917d 100644
--- a/klippy/kinematics/extruder.py
+++ b/klippy/kinematics/extruder.py
@@ -194,14 +194,14 @@ class PrinterExtruder:
         toolhead = self.printer.lookup_object('toolhead')
         if 'DISTANCE' not in params:
             step_dist = self.stepper.get_step_dist()
-            gcode.respond_info("%s E step distance: %f" % (self.name, step_dist))
+            gcode.respond_info("Extruder '%s' step distance is %0.6f"
+                               % (self.name, step_dist))
             return
         dist = gcode.get_float('DISTANCE', params, 0.)
         toolhead.flush_step_generation()
-        self.stepper.set_step_dist(self.sk_extruder, dist)
-        step_dist = self.stepper.get_step_dist()
-        gcode.respond_info("%s E step distance set: %f" %
-                                                (self.name, step_dist))
+        self.stepper.set_step_dist(dist)
+        gcode.respond_info("Extruder '%s' step distance set to %0.6f"
+                           % (self.name, dist))
     cmd_ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER_help = "Change the active extruder"
     def cmd_ACTIVATE_EXTRUDER(self, params):
         gcode = self.printer.lookup_object('gcode')
diff --git a/klippy/stepper.py b/klippy/stepper.py
index bbe57ca5..5cf4ee4f 100644
--- a/klippy/stepper.py
+++ b/klippy/stepper.py
@@ -94,10 +94,9 @@ class MCU_stepper:
         return self._oid
     def get_step_dist(self):
         return self._step_dist
-    def set_step_dist(self, sk, dist):
+    def set_step_dist(self, dist):
         self._step_dist = dist
-        self.set_stepper_kinematics(sk)
-        logging.info("%s manually set to =%.6f", (self._name, dist))
+        self.set_stepper_kinematics(self._stepper_kinematics)
     def is_dir_inverted(self):
         return self._invert_dir
     def calc_position_from_coord(self, coord):
diff --git a/test/klippy/extruders.test b/test/klippy/extruders.test
index 034b0559..22dc6ab5 100644
--- a/test/klippy/extruders.test
+++ b/test/klippy/extruders.test
@@ -11,3 +11,7 @@ G1 E7
 G28
 G1 X20 Y20 Z1
 G1 X25 Y25 E7.5
+
+# Update step_distance
+SET_EXTRUDER_STEP_DISTANCE EXTRUDER=extruder DISTANCE=.005
+G1 X30 Y30 E8.0