diff --git a/QtPyLoT.py b/QtPyLoT.py
index ef494399..66560ab8 100755
--- a/QtPyLoT.py
+++ b/QtPyLoT.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ from pylot.core.io.data import Data
 from pylot.core.io.inputs import FilterOptions, AutoPickParameter
 from pylot.core.pick.autopick import autopickevent
 from pylot.core.pick.compare import Comparison
+from pylot.core.pick.utils import symmetrize_error
 from pylot.core.io.phases import picksdict_from_picks
 import pylot.core.loc.nll as nll
 from pylot.core.util.defaults import FILTERDEFAULTS, COMPNAME_MAP, \
@@ -894,6 +895,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             epp = picks['epp'] - stime
             lpp = picks['lpp'] - stime
             spe = picks['spe']
+            if not spe:
+                spe = symmetrize_error(mpp - epp, lpp - mpp)
 
             if picktype == 'manual':
                 ax.fill_between([epp, lpp], ylims[0], ylims[1],
diff --git a/pylot/core/pick/utils.py b/pylot/core/pick/utils.py
index 09405fb1..20c2227c 100644
--- a/pylot/core/pick/utils.py
+++ b/pylot/core/pick/utils.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def earllatepicker(X, nfac, TSNR, Pick1, iplot=None, stealth_mode=False):
     # by weighting latest possible pick two times earliest possible pick
     diffti_tl = LPick - Pick1
     diffti_te = Pick1 - EPick
-    PickError = (diffti_te + 2 * diffti_tl) / 3
+    PickError = symmetrize_error(diffti_te, diffti_tl)
 
     if iplot > 1:
         p = plt.figure(iplot)
@@ -325,6 +325,17 @@ def crossings_nonzero_all(data):
     return ((pos[:-1] & npos[1:]) | (npos[:-1] & pos[1:])).nonzero()[0]
 
 
+def symmetrize_error(dte, dtl):
+    """
+    takes earliest and latest possible pick and returns the symmetrized pick
+    uncertainty value
+    :param dte: relative lower uncertainty
+    :param dtl: relative upper uncertainty
+    :return: symmetrized error
+    """
+    return (dte + 2 * dtl) / 3
+
+
 def getSNR(X, TSNR, t1, tracenum=0):
     '''
     Function to calculate SNR of certain part of seismogram relative to