diff --git a/proseco/guide.py b/proseco/guide.py
index 42884d96..4cefd3a6 100644
--- a/proseco/guide.py
+++ b/proseco/guide.py
@@ -402,12 +402,18 @@ def index_combinations(n, m):
         choose_m = min(len(stage_cands), self.n_guide)
 
         n_tries = 0
-        for n_tries, comb in enumerate(
-            index_combinations(len(stage_cands), choose_m), start=1
-        ):
+        for comb in index_combinations(len(stage_cands), choose_m):
             cands = stage_cands[
                 list(comb)
             ]  # (note that [(1,2)] is not the same as list((1,2))
+
+            # If there are any include_ids, then the selected stars must include them.
+            # If not, skip this combination.
+            if self.include_ids and not set(self.include_ids).issubset(cands["id"]):
+                continue
+
+            n_tries += 1
+
             n_pass, n_tests = run_select_checks(
                 cands
             )  # This function knows how many tests get run
diff --git a/proseco/tests/test_guide.py b/proseco/tests/test_guide.py
index 0c916be9..e3317727 100644
--- a/proseco/tests/test_guide.py
+++ b/proseco/tests/test_guide.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
     get_ax_range,
     get_guide_catalog,
     get_pixmag_for_offset,
+    run_select_checks,
 )
 from ..report_guide import make_report
 from .test_common import DARK40, OBS_INFO, STD_INFO, mod_std_info
@@ -609,6 +610,45 @@ def test_guides_include_bad():
     assert "cannot include star id=20" in str(err)
 
 
+def test_guides_include_close():
+    """
+    Test force include stars where they would not be selected due to
+    clustering.
+    """
+    stars = StarsTable.empty()
+
+    stars.add_fake_constellation(
+        mag=[7.0, 7.0, 7.0, 7.0, 7.0], id=[25, 26, 27, 28, 29], size=2000, n_stars=5
+    )
+
+    stars.add_fake_star(mag=11.0, yang=100, zang=100, id=21)
+    stars.add_fake_star(mag=11.0, yang=-100, zang=-100, id=22)
+    stars.add_fake_star(mag=11.0, yang=100, zang=-100, id=23)
+    stars.add_fake_star(mag=11.0, yang=-100, zang=100, id=24)
+
+    cat1 = get_guide_catalog(**mod_std_info(n_guide=5), stars=stars)
+
+    # Run the cluster checks and confirm all 3 pass
+    cat1_pass, _ = run_select_checks(cat1)
+    assert cat1_pass == 3
+
+    # Confirm that only bright stars are used
+    assert np.count_nonzero(cat1["mag"] == 7.0) == 5
+
+    # Force include the faint 4 stars that are also close together
+    include_ids = [21, 22, 23, 24]
+    cat2 = get_guide_catalog(
+        **mod_std_info(n_guide=5), stars=stars, include_ids_guide=include_ids
+    )
+
+    # Run the cluster checks and confirm all 3 fail
+    cat2_pass, _ = run_select_checks(cat2)
+    assert cat2_pass == 0
+    assert np.all(np.in1d(include_ids, cat2["id"]))
+    # And confirm that only one of the bright stars is used
+    assert np.count_nonzero(cat2["mag"] == 7.0) == 1
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("dither", dither_cases)
 def test_edge_star(dither):
     """