diff --git a/python/lsst/ip/diffim/makeKernel.py b/python/lsst/ip/diffim/makeKernel.py
index b5457b68..46dc47c6 100644
--- a/python/lsst/ip/diffim/makeKernel.py
+++ b/python/lsst/ip/diffim/makeKernel.py
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def getSelectSources(self, exposure, sigma=None, doSmooth=True, idFactory=None):
         return selectSources
 
     def makeCandidateList(self, convolved, reference, kernelSize,
-                          candidateList, preconvolved=False):
+                          candidateList, preconvolved=False, sigma=None):
         """Make a list of acceptable KernelCandidates.
 
         Generate a list of candidate sources for Psf-matching, remove sources
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ def makeCandidateList(self, convolved, reference, kernelSize,
             If ``candidateList`` is empty after sub-selection.
         """
         if candidateList is None:
-            candidateList = self.getSelectSources(reference, doSmooth=not preconvolved)
+            candidateList = self.getSelectSources(reference, doSmooth=not preconvolved, sigma=sigma)
             if len(candidateList) < 1:
                 raise RuntimeError("No kernel candidates after detection and measurement.")
 
diff --git a/python/lsst/ip/diffim/subtractImages.py b/python/lsst/ip/diffim/subtractImages.py
index 8ef55938..8cf0f76b 100644
--- a/python/lsst/ip/diffim/subtractImages.py
+++ b/python/lsst/ip/diffim/subtractImages.py
@@ -505,8 +505,14 @@ def runConvolveTemplate(self, template, science, selectSources):
             if self.config.allowKernelSourceDetection:
                 self.log.warning("Error encountered trying to construct the matching kernel"
                                  f" Running source detection and retrying. {e}")
+                kernelSize = self.makeKernel.makeKernelBasisList(
+                    self.templatePsfSize, self.sciencePsfSize)[0].getWidth()
+                sigmaToFwhm = 2*np.log(2*np.sqrt(2))
+                candidateList = self.makeKernel.makeCandidateList(template, science, kernelSize,
+                                                                  candidateList=None,
+                                                                  sigma=self.sciencePsfSize/sigmaToFwhm)
                 kernelSources = self.makeKernel.selectKernelSources(template, science,
-                                                                    candidateList=None,
+                                                                    candidateList=candidateList,
                                                                     preconvolved=False)
                 kernelResult = self.makeKernel.run(template, science, kernelSources,
                                                    preconvolved=False)