diff --git a/src/easyreflectometry/project.py b/src/easyreflectometry/project.py
index ee383328..3725e553 100644
--- a/src/easyreflectometry/project.py
+++ b/src/easyreflectometry/project.py
@@ -455,7 +455,8 @@ def free_parameters_count(self) -> int:
         count = 0
         parameters = self.parameters
         for parameter in parameters:
-            count = count + 1
+            if not parameter._fixed:
+                count = count + 1
         return count
 
     #     return sum(1 for parameter in self.parameters if parameter.free)