diff --git a/backend/czi_hosted/common/rest.py b/backend/czi_hosted/common/rest.py
index 778a4283..5ca17d1c 100644
--- a/backend/czi_hosted/common/rest.py
+++ b/backend/czi_hosted/common/rest.py
@@ -265,7 +265,9 @@ def diffexp_obs_post(request, data_adaptor):
 
         set1_filter = args.get("set1", {"filter": {}})["filter"]
         set2_filter = args.get("set2", {"filter": {}})["filter"]
-        count = args.get("count", None)
+        # TODO(#1281): When we simplify the config, we should actually use the config to determine this number,
+        #  this will also require an update in the client
+        count = 15
 
         if set1_filter is None or set2_filter is None or count is None:
             return abort_and_log(HTTPStatus.BAD_REQUEST, "missing required parameter")