diff --git a/cylc/flow/dbstatecheck.py b/cylc/flow/dbstatecheck.py
index 2d5024f19b6..4a7d960f3fc 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/dbstatecheck.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/dbstatecheck.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 import os
 import sqlite3
 import sys
-from typing import Optional, Union
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 from textwrap import dedent
 
 from cylc.flow.pathutil import expand_path
@@ -68,18 +68,7 @@ def __init__(self, rund, workflow, db_path=None):
         if not os.path.exists(db_path):
             raise OSError(errno.ENOENT, os.strerror(errno.ENOENT), db_path)
         self.conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path, timeout=10.0)
-
-        # Get workflow point format.
-        try:
-            self.point_fmt = self._get_pt_fmt()
-            self.back_compat_mode = False
-        except sqlite3.OperationalError as exc:
-            # BACK COMPAT: Cylc 7 DB (see method below).
-            try:
-                self.point_fmt = self._get_pt_fmt_compat()
-                self.back_compat_mode = True
-            except sqlite3.OperationalError:
-                raise exc  # original error
+        self.point_fmt, self.back_compat_mode = self._get_point()
 
     @staticmethod
     def display_maps(res):
@@ -89,6 +78,22 @@ def display_maps(res):
             for row in res:
                 sys.stdout.write((", ").join([str(s) for s in row]) + "\n")
 
+    def _get_point(self) -> Tuple[Union[None, str], bool]:
+        """Get point format irrespective of compat mode
+
+        Returns:
+            (Cycle point format(None if int cycling), is_back_compat)
+        """
+        # Get workflow point format.
+        try:
+            return (self._get_pt_fmt(), False)
+        except sqlite3.OperationalError as exc:
+            # BACK COMPAT: Cylc 7 DB (see method below).
+            try:
+                return (self._get_pt_fmt_compat(), True)
+            except sqlite3.OperationalError:
+                raise exc  # original error
+
     def _get_pt_fmt(self) -> Union[None, str]:
         """Query a workflow database for a 'cycle point format' entry
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_db_compat.py b/tests/unit/test_db_compat.py
index 9b9ca8541d3..955a23ef555 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_db_compat.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_db_compat.py
@@ -131,14 +131,18 @@ def test_cylc_7_db_wflow_params_table(_setup_db):
     db_file_name = _setup_db([create, insert])
     checker = CylcWorkflowDBChecker('foo', 'bar', db_path=db_file_name)
 
-    with pytest.raises(
-        sqlite3.OperationalError, match="no such table: workflow_params"
-    ):
-        checker._get_pt_fmt()
-
+    assert checker._get_point() == ('CCYY', True)
     assert checker.point_fmt == ptformat
 
 
+def test_garbage_db_wflow_params_table(tmp_path):
+    """If our logic fails we fallback to sqlite error."""
+    db_path = tmp_path / 'foo.db'
+    db_path.touch()
+    with pytest.raises(sqlite3.OperationalError):
+        CylcWorkflowDBChecker('foo', 'bar', db_path=db_path)
+
+
 def test_pre_830_task_action_timers(_setup_db):
     """Test back compat for task_action_timers table.