diff --git a/docs/changes/909.bugfix.rst b/docs/changes/909.bugfix.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..19c829fc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/changes/909.bugfix.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix ligthcurve breaking when err_dist=None and changed default err_dist to None to match docs
diff --git a/docs/simulator.rst b/docs/simulator.rst
index 84e78ed92..ba382ef29 100644
--- a/docs/simulator.rst
+++ b/docs/simulator.rst
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Simulate Method
 Stingray provides multiple ways to simulate a light curve. However, all these methods follow a common recipe::
 
   >>> sim = simulator.Simulator(N=1024, mean=0.5, dt=0.125, rms=1.0)
-  >>> lc = sim.simulate(2)
+  >>> lc = sim.simulate(2) # doctest: +IGNORE_WARNINGS
 
 Using Power-Law Spectrum
 ------------------------
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ Channel Simulation
 The `simulator` class provides the functionality to simulate light curves independently for each channel. This is useful, for example, when dealing with energy dependent impulse responses where we can create a di↵erent simulation channel for each energy range. The module provides options to count, retrieve and delete channels.::
 
   >>> sim = simulator.Simulator(N=1024, mean=0.5, dt=0.125, rms=1.0)
-  >>> sim.simulate_channel('3.5 - 4.5', 2)
+  >>> sim.simulate_channel('3.5 - 4.5', 2) # doctest: +IGNORE_WARNINGS
   >>> sim.count_channels()
   1
   >>> lc = sim.get_channel('3.5 - 4.5')
@@ -164,9 +164,9 @@ Alternatively, assume that we have light curves in the simulated energy channels
 
   >>> sim.count_channels()
   0
-  >>> sim.simulate_channel('3.5 - 4.5', 2)
-  >>> sim.simulate_channel('4.5 - 5.5', 2)
-  >>> sim.simulate_channel('5.5 - 6.5', 2)
+  >>> sim.simulate_channel('3.5 - 4.5', 2) # doctest: +IGNORE_WARNINGS
+  >>> sim.simulate_channel('4.5 - 5.5', 2) # doctest: +IGNORE_WARNINGS
+  >>> sim.simulate_channel('5.5 - 6.5', 2) # doctest: +IGNORE_WARNINGS
   >>> chans = sim.get_channels(['3.5 - 4.5','4.5 - 5.5','5.5 - 6.5'])
   >>> sim.delete_channels(['3.5 - 4.5','4.5 - 5.5','5.5 - 6.5'])
 
diff --git a/stingray/lightcurve.py b/stingray/lightcurve.py
index c6cff03b6..d9c3a080d 100644
--- a/stingray/lightcurve.py
+++ b/stingray/lightcurve.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 
 __all__ = ["Lightcurve"]
 
-valid_statistics = ["poisson", "gauss", None]
+valid_statistics = ["poisson", "gauss", "none"]
 
 logger = setup_logger()
 
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ def __init__(
         err=None,
         input_counts=True,
         gti=None,
-        err_dist="poisson",
+        err_dist=None,
         bg_counts=None,
         bg_ratio=None,
         frac_exp=None,
@@ -275,6 +275,11 @@ def __init__(
         if not skip_checks:
             time, counts, err = self.initial_optional_checks(time, counts, err, gti=gti)
 
+        if err_dist is None and input_counts:
+            err_dist = "poisson"
+        elif err_dist is None:
+            err_dist = "none"
+
         if err_dist.lower() not in valid_statistics:
             # err_dist set can be increased with other statistics
             raise StingrayError(
@@ -283,10 +288,8 @@ def __init__(
             )
         elif not err_dist.lower() == "poisson":
             simon(
-                "Stingray only uses poisson err_dist at the moment. "
-                "All analysis in the light curve will assume Poisson "
-                "errors. "
-                "Sorry for the inconvenience."
+                "Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods"
+                ", and 'gauss' in a few more. "
             )
 
         self._time = time
diff --git a/stingray/sampledata.py b/stingray/sampledata.py
index 75c3dd92b..cee8331e7 100644
--- a/stingray/sampledata.py
+++ b/stingray/sampledata.py
@@ -24,4 +24,4 @@ def sample_data():
     counts = data[0 : len(data), 1]
 
     # Return class:`Lightcurve` object
-    return lightcurve.Lightcurve(dates, counts, dt=dt, skip_checks=True)
+    return lightcurve.Lightcurve(dates, counts, dt=dt, skip_checks=True, err_dist="poisson")
diff --git a/stingray/simulator/tests/test_simulator.py b/stingray/simulator/tests/test_simulator.py
index 053f37b06..beb17c225 100644
--- a/stingray/simulator/tests/test_simulator.py
+++ b/stingray/simulator/tests/test_simulator.py
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ def calculate_lag(self, lc, h, delay):
         Class method to calculate lag between two light curves.
         """
         s = lc.counts
-        output = self.simulator.simulate(s, h, "same")[delay:]
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            output = self.simulator.simulate(s, h, "same")[delay:]
         s = s[delay:]
         time = lc.time[delay:]
         output = output.counts
@@ -51,7 +52,8 @@ def test_simulate_with_seed(self):
         self.simulator = Simulator(
             N=self.N, mean=self.mean, dt=self.dt, rms=self.rms, random_state=12
         )
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate(2).counts), self.N
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate(2).counts), self.N
 
     def test_simulate_with_tstart(self):
         """
@@ -80,28 +82,32 @@ def test_simulate_channel(self):
         """
         Simulate an energy channel.
         """
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", "generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", "generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])
         self.simulator.delete_channel("3.5-4.5")
 
     def test_simulate_channel_odd(self):
         """
         Simulate an energy channel.
         """
-        self.simulator_odd.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", "generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.simulator_odd.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", "generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])
         self.simulator_odd.delete_channel("3.5-4.5")
 
     def test_incorrect_simulate_channel(self):
         """Test simulating a channel that already exists."""
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
-        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
             self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
+            with pytest.raises(KeyError):
+                self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
         self.simulator.delete_channel("3.5-4.5")
 
     def test_get_channel(self):
         """
         Retrieve an energy channel after it has been simulated.
         """
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
         lc = self.simulator.get_channel("3.5-4.5")
         self.simulator.delete_channel("3.5-4.5")
 
@@ -109,16 +115,18 @@ def test_get_channels(self):
         """
         Retrieve multiple energy channel after it has been simulated.
         """
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("4.5-5.5", "smoothbknpo", [1, 2, 3, 4])
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("4.5-5.5", "smoothbknpo", [1, 2, 3, 4])
         lc = self.simulator.get_channels(["3.5-4.5", "4.5-5.5"])
 
         self.simulator.delete_channels(["3.5-4.5", "4.5-5.5"])
 
     def test_get_all_channels(self):
         """Retrieve all energy channels."""
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("4.5-5.5", 1)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("4.5-5.5", 1)
         lc = self.simulator.get_all_channels()
 
         self.simulator.delete_channels(["3.5-4.5", "4.5-5.5"])
@@ -127,8 +135,9 @@ def test_count_channels(self):
         """
         Count energy channels after they have been simulated.
         """
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
-        self.simulator.simulate_channel("4.5-5.5", 1)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("3.5-4.5", 2)
+            self.simulator.simulate_channel("4.5-5.5", 1)
 
         assert self.simulator.count_channels() == 2
         self.simulator.delete_channels(["3.5-4.5", "4.5-5.5"])
@@ -173,8 +182,8 @@ def test_rms_and_mean(self, model_kind):
             model = astropy_model(freq_fine)
         elif model_kind == "float":
             model = 2.0
-
-        lc_all = [self.simulator.simulate(model) for i in range(nsim)]
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc_all = [self.simulator.simulate(model) for i in range(nsim)]
 
         mean_all = np.mean([np.mean(lc.counts) for lc in lc_all])
         std_all = np.mean([np.std(lc.counts) for lc in lc_all])
@@ -195,7 +204,8 @@ def test_rms_zero_mean(self):
         mean = 0.0
         with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Careful! A mean of zero is unphysical!"):
             sim = Simulator(dt=self.dt, N=self.N, rms=self.rms, mean=mean)
-        lc_all = [sim.simulate(-2.0) for i in range(nsim)]
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc_all = [sim.simulate(-2.0) for i in range(nsim)]
 
         mean_all = np.mean([np.mean(lc.counts) for lc in lc_all])
         std_all = np.mean([np.std(lc.counts) for lc in lc_all])
@@ -207,13 +217,15 @@ def test_simulate_powerlaw(self):
         """
         Simulate light curve from power law spectrum.
         """
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate(2).counts), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate(2).counts), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_powerlaw_odd(self):
         """
         Simulate light curve from power law spectrum.
         """
-        assert len(self.simulator_odd.simulate(2).counts), 2039
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator_odd.simulate(2).counts), 2039
 
     def test_compare_powerlaw(self):
         """
@@ -222,7 +234,8 @@ def test_compare_powerlaw(self):
         B, N, red_noise, dt = 2, 1024, 10, 1
 
         self.simulator = Simulator(N=N, dt=dt, mean=5, rms=1, red_noise=red_noise)
-        lc = [self.simulator.simulate(B) for i in range(1, 30)]
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc = [self.simulator.simulate(B) for i in range(1, 30)]
         simulated = self.simulator.powerspectrum(lc, lc[0].tseg)
 
         w = np.fft.rfftfreq(N, d=dt)[1:]
@@ -238,7 +251,8 @@ def test_simulate_powerspectrum(self):
         Simulate light curve from any power spectrum.
         """
         s = np.random.rand(1024)
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate(s)), self.N
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate(s)), self.N
 
     def test_simulate_model_pars_not_list_or_dict(self):
         """
@@ -252,13 +266,15 @@ def test_simulate_lorentzian(self):
         """
         Simulate light curve using lorentzian model.
         """
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate("generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate("generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_lorentzian_odd(self):
         """
         Simulate light curve using lorentzian model.
         """
-        assert len(self.simulator_odd.simulate("generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator_odd.simulate("generalized_lorentzian", [1, 2, 3, 4])), 1024
 
     def test_compare_lorentzian(self):
         """
@@ -267,10 +283,11 @@ def test_compare_lorentzian(self):
         N, red_noise, dt = 1024, 10, 1
 
         self.simulator = Simulator(N=N, dt=dt, mean=0.1, rms=0.4, red_noise=red_noise)
-        lc = [
-            self.simulator.simulate("generalized_lorentzian", [0.3, 0.9, 0.6, 0.5])
-            for i in range(1, 30)
-        ]
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc = [
+                self.simulator.simulate("generalized_lorentzian", [0.3, 0.9, 0.6, 0.5])
+                for i in range(1, 30)
+            ]
         simulated = self.simulator.powerspectrum(lc, lc[0].tseg)
 
         w = np.fft.rfftfreq(N, d=dt)[1:]
@@ -285,7 +302,8 @@ def test_simulate_smoothbknpo(self):
         """
         Simulate light curve using smooth broken power law model.
         """
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate("smoothbknpo", [1, 2, 3, 4])), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate("smoothbknpo", [1, 2, 3, 4])), 1024
 
     def test_compare_smoothbknpo(self):
         """
@@ -295,7 +313,8 @@ def test_compare_smoothbknpo(self):
         N, red_noise, dt = 1024, 10, 1
 
         self.simulator = Simulator(N=N, dt=dt, mean=0.1, rms=0.7, red_noise=red_noise)
-        lc = [self.simulator.simulate("smoothbknpo", [0.6, 0.2, 0.6, 0.5]) for i in range(1, 30)]
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc = [self.simulator.simulate("smoothbknpo", [0.6, 0.2, 0.6, 0.5]) for i in range(1, 30)]
 
         simulated = self.simulator.powerspectrum(lc, lc[0].tseg)
 
@@ -312,22 +331,24 @@ def test_simulate_GeneralizedLorentz1D_str(self):
         Simulate a light curve using the GeneralizedLorentz1D model
         called as a string
         """
-        assert len(
-            self.simulator.simulate(
-                "GeneralizedLorentz1D", {"x_0": 10, "fwhm": 1.0, "value": 10.0, "power_coeff": 2}
-            )
-        ), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(
+                self.simulator.simulate(
+                    "GeneralizedLorentz1D", {"x_0": 10, "fwhm": 1.0, "value": 10.0, "power_coeff": 2}
+                )
+            ), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_GeneralizedLorentz1D_odd_str(self):
         """
         Simulate a light curve using the GeneralizedLorentz1D model
         called as a string
         """
-        assert len(
-            self.simulator_odd.simulate(
-                "GeneralizedLorentz1D", {"x_0": 10, "fwhm": 1.0, "value": 10.0, "power_coeff": 2}
-            )
-        ), 2039
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(
+                self.simulator_odd.simulate(
+                    "GeneralizedLorentz1D", {"x_0": 10, "fwhm": 1.0, "value": 10.0, "power_coeff": 2}
+                )
+            ), 2039
 
     def test_simulate_GeneralizedLorentz1D(self):
         """
@@ -335,19 +356,21 @@ def test_simulate_GeneralizedLorentz1D(self):
         called as a astropy.modeling.Model class
         """
         mod = models.GeneralizedLorentz1D(x_0=10, fwhm=1.0, value=10.0, power_coeff=2)
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate(mod)), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate(mod)), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_SmoothBrokenPowerLaw_str(self):
         """
         Simulate a light curve using SmoothBrokenPowerLaw model
         called as a string
         """
-        assert len(
-            self.simulator.simulate(
-                "SmoothBrokenPowerLaw",
-                {"norm": 1.0, "gamma_low": 1.0, "gamma_high": 2.0, "break_freq": 1.0},
-            )
-        ), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(
+                self.simulator.simulate(
+                    "SmoothBrokenPowerLaw",
+                    {"norm": 1.0, "gamma_low": 1.0, "gamma_high": 2.0, "break_freq": 1.0},
+                )
+            ), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_SmoothBrokenPowerLaw(self):
         """
@@ -355,7 +378,8 @@ def test_simulate_SmoothBrokenPowerLaw(self):
         called as a astropy.modeling.Model class
         """
         mod = models.SmoothBrokenPowerLaw(norm=1.0, gamma_low=1.0, gamma_high=2.0, break_freq=1.0)
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate(mod)), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate(mod)), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_generic_model(self):
         """
@@ -363,7 +387,8 @@ def test_simulate_generic_model(self):
         called as a astropy.modeling.Model class
         """
         mod = astropy.modeling.models.Gaussian1D(amplitude=10.0, mean=1.0, stddev=2.0)
-        assert len(self.simulator.simulate(mod)), 1024
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator.simulate(mod)), 1024
 
     def test_simulate_generic_model_odd(self):
         """
@@ -371,7 +396,8 @@ def test_simulate_generic_model_odd(self):
         called as a astropy.modeling.Model class
         """
         mod = astropy.modeling.models.Gaussian1D(amplitude=10.0, mean=1.0, stddev=2.0)
-        assert len(self.simulator_odd.simulate(mod)), 2039
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            assert len(self.simulator_odd.simulate(mod)), 2039
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize("poisson", [True, False])
     def test_compare_composite(self, poisson):
@@ -451,7 +477,8 @@ def test_simulate_simple_impulse(self):
         lc = sampledata.sample_data()
         s = lc.counts
         h = self.simulator.simple_ir(10, 1, 1)
-        _ = self.simulator.simulate(s, h)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            _ = self.simulator.simulate(s, h)
 
     def test_simulate_simple_impulse_odd(self):
         """
@@ -460,20 +487,23 @@ def test_simulate_simple_impulse_odd(self):
         lc = sampledata.sample_data()
         s = lc.counts
         h = self.simulator_odd.simple_ir(10, 1, 1)
-        _ = self.simulator_odd.simulate(s, h)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            _ = self.simulator_odd.simulate(s, h)
 
     def test_powerspectrum(self):
         """
         Create a power spectrum from light curve.
         """
-        lc = self.simulator.simulate(2)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc = self.simulator.simulate(2)
         self.simulator.powerspectrum(lc)
 
     def test_powerspectrum_odd(self):
         """
         Create a power spectrum from light curve.
         """
-        lc = self.simulator_odd.simulate(2)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc = self.simulator_odd.simulate(2)
         self.simulator_odd.powerspectrum(lc)
 
     def test_simulate_relativistic_impulse(self):
@@ -484,7 +514,8 @@ def test_simulate_relativistic_impulse(self):
         s = lc.counts
 
         h = self.simulator.relativistic_ir()
-        output = self.simulator.simulate(s, h)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            output = self.simulator.simulate(s, h)
 
     def test_filtered_simulate(self):
         """
@@ -494,7 +525,8 @@ def test_filtered_simulate(self):
         s = lc.counts
 
         h = self.simulator.simple_ir()
-        output = self.simulator.simulate(s, h, "filtered")
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            output = self.simulator.simulate(s, h, "filtered")
 
     def test_filtered_simulate_odd(self):
         """
@@ -504,7 +536,8 @@ def test_filtered_simulate_odd(self):
         s = lc.counts
 
         h = self.simulator_odd.simple_ir()
-        output = self.simulator_odd.simulate(s, h, "filtered")
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            output = self.simulator_odd.simulate(s, h, "filtered")
 
     def test_simple_lag_spectrum(self):
         """
@@ -553,10 +586,11 @@ def test_position_varying_channels(self):
         delays = [int(5 / lc.dt), int(10 / lc.dt)]
 
         outputs = []
-        for i in h:
-            lc2 = self.simulator.simulate(s, i)
-            lc2 = lc2.shift(-lc2.time[0] + lc.time[0])
-            outputs.append(lc2)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            for i in h:
+                lc2 = self.simulator.simulate(s, i)
+                lc2 = lc2.shift(-lc2.time[0] + lc.time[0])
+                outputs.append(lc2)
 
         with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Your lightcurves have different statistics"):
             cross = [Crossspectrum(lc2, lc).rebin(0.0075) for lc2 in outputs]
@@ -582,10 +616,11 @@ def test_intensity_varying_channels(self):
         delay = int(5 / lc.dt)
 
         outputs = []
-        for i in h:
-            lc2 = self.simulator.simulate(s, i)
-            lc2 = lc2.shift(-lc2.time[0] + lc.time[0])
-            outputs.append(lc2)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            for i in h:
+                lc2 = self.simulator.simulate(s, i)
+                lc2 = lc2.shift(-lc2.time[0] + lc.time[0])
+                outputs.append(lc2)
 
         with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Your lightcurves have different statistics"):
             cross = [Crossspectrum(lc2, lc).rebin(0.0075) for lc2 in outputs]
diff --git a/stingray/tests/test_crosscorrelation.py b/stingray/tests/test_crosscorrelation.py
index 6545bc27d..71a998a39 100644
--- a/stingray/tests/test_crosscorrelation.py
+++ b/stingray/tests/test_crosscorrelation.py
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ def setup_class(cls):
         freq = 1 / 50
         flux1 = 0.5 + 0.5 * np.sin(2 * np.pi * freq * times)
         flux2 = 0.5 + 0.5 * np.sin(2 * np.pi * freq * (times - 20))
-
-        cls.lc1 = Lightcurve(times, flux1, dt=dt, err_dist="gauss", gti=gti, skip_checks=True)
-        cls.lc2 = Lightcurve(times, flux2, dt=dt, err_dist="gauss", gti=gti, skip_checks=True)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            cls.lc1 = Lightcurve(times, flux1, dt=dt, err_dist="gauss", gti=gti, skip_checks=True)
+            cls.lc2 = Lightcurve(times, flux2, dt=dt, err_dist="gauss", gti=gti, skip_checks=True)
 
     def test_crosscorr(self):
         cr = CrossCorrelation(self.lc1, self.lc2)
diff --git a/stingray/tests/test_crossspectrum.py b/stingray/tests/test_crossspectrum.py
index 4b5b9dbe8..b84414511 100644
--- a/stingray/tests/test_crossspectrum.py
+++ b/stingray/tests/test_crossspectrum.py
@@ -505,14 +505,15 @@ def setup_class(self):
         counts1 = np.random.poisson(10000, size=time.shape[0])
         counts1_norm = counts1 / 13.4
         counts1_norm_err = np.std(counts1) / 13.4
-        self.lc1_norm = Lightcurve(
-            time,
-            counts1_norm,
-            gti=[[tstart, self.tseg]],
-            dt=dt,
-            err_dist="gauss",
-            err=np.zeros_like(counts1_norm) + counts1_norm_err,
-        )
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            self.lc1_norm = Lightcurve(
+                time,
+                counts1_norm,
+                gti=[[tstart, self.tseg]],
+                dt=dt,
+                err_dist="gauss",
+                err=np.zeros_like(counts1_norm) + counts1_norm_err,
+            )
         self.lc1 = Lightcurve(time, counts1, gti=[[tstart, self.tseg]], dt=dt)
         self.rate1 = np.mean(counts1) / dt  # mean count rate (counts/sec) of light curve 1
 
@@ -1217,7 +1218,8 @@ def test_rebin_log_returns_complex_values_and_errors(self):
     def test_timelag(self):
         dt = 0.1
         simulator = Simulator(dt, 10000, rms=0.2, mean=1000)
-        test_lc1 = simulator.simulate(2)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            test_lc1 = simulator.simulate(2)
         test_lc1.counts -= np.min(test_lc1.counts)
 
         with pytest.warns(UserWarning):
@@ -1417,7 +1419,7 @@ def setup_class(cls):
         with warnings.catch_warnings():
             warnings.simplefilter("ignore", category=UserWarning)
 
-            lc = Lightcurve(timestamps, signal, err_dist="poisson", dt=dt, gti=[[0, 100]])
+            lc = Lightcurve(timestamps, signal, dt=dt, gti=[[0, 100]])
 
         cls.lc = lc
 
diff --git a/stingray/tests/test_lightcurve.py b/stingray/tests/test_lightcurve.py
index 8dc528b2c..68548d932 100644
--- a/stingray/tests/test_lightcurve.py
+++ b/stingray/tests/test_lightcurve.py
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ def test_irregular_time_warning(self):
         )
 
         with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match=warn_str):
-            _ = Lightcurve(times, counts, err_dist="poisson")
+            _ = Lightcurve(times, counts)
 
     def test_unrecognize_err_dist_warning(self):
         """
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ def test_unrecognize_err_dist_warning(self):
         """
         times = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
         counts = [2, 2, 2, 2, 2]
-        warn_str = "SIMON says: Stingray only uses poisson err_dist at " "the moment"
+        warn_str = "SIMON says: Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."
 
         with warnings.catch_warnings(record=True) as w:
             warnings.filterwarnings("always")
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ def test_input_countrate(self):
         mean_counts = 2.0
         times = np.arange(0 + dt / 2, 5 - dt / 2, dt)
         countrate = np.zeros_like(times) + mean_counts
-        lc = Lightcurve(times, countrate, input_counts=False)
+        lc = Lightcurve(times, countrate, input_counts=False, err_dist="poisson")
         assert np.allclose(lc.counts, np.zeros_like(countrate) + mean_counts * dt)
 
     def test_meanrate(self):
@@ -726,7 +726,7 @@ def test_slicing(self):
             dt=self.dt,
             gti=self.gti,
             err=self.counts / 10,
-            err_dist="gauss",
+            err_dist="poisson",
         )
         assert np.allclose(lc[1:3].counts, np.array([4, 6]))
         assert np.allclose(lc[:2].counts, np.array([2, 4]))
@@ -1326,14 +1326,14 @@ def test_split_lc_by_gtis_minpoints(self):
     def test_shift(self):
         times = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
         counts = [1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 2]
-        lc = Lightcurve(times, counts, input_counts=True)
+        lc = Lightcurve(times, counts, input_counts=True, err_dist="poisson")
         lc2 = lc.shift(1)
         assert np.allclose(lc2.time - 1, times)
         lc2 = lc.shift(-1)
         assert np.allclose(lc2.time + 1, times)
         assert np.allclose(lc2.counts, lc.counts)
         assert np.allclose(lc2.countrate, lc.countrate)
-        lc = Lightcurve(times, counts, input_counts=False)
+        lc = Lightcurve(times, counts, input_counts=False, err_dist="poisson")
         lc2 = lc.shift(1)
         assert np.allclose(lc2.counts, lc.counts)
         assert np.allclose(lc2.countrate, lc.countrate)
@@ -1350,6 +1350,7 @@ def test_table_roundtrip(self):
             mission="BUBU",
             instr="BABA",
             mjdref=53467.0,
+            err_dist="poisson"
         )
 
         ts = lc.to_astropy_table()
@@ -1378,6 +1379,7 @@ def test_table_roundtrip_ctrate(self):
             instr="BABA",
             mjdref=53467.0,
             input_counts=False,
+            err_dist="poisson"
         )
 
         ts = lc.to_astropy_table()
@@ -1393,7 +1395,7 @@ def test_timeseries_roundtrip(self):
         wrong format is provided.
         """
         N = len(self.times)
-        lc = Lightcurve(self.times, self.counts, mission="BUBU", instr="BABA", mjdref=53467.0)
+        lc = Lightcurve(self.times, self.counts, mission="BUBU", instr="BABA", mjdref=53467.0, err_dist="poisson")
 
         ts = lc.to_astropy_timeseries()
         new_lc = lc.from_astropy_timeseries(ts)
@@ -1413,7 +1415,7 @@ def test_timeseries_roundtrip_ctrate(self):
         countrate = np.zeros_like(times) + mean_counts
 
         lc = Lightcurve(
-            times, countrate, mission="BUBU", instr="BABA", mjdref=53467.0, input_counts=False
+            times, countrate, mission="BUBU", instr="BABA", mjdref=53467.0, input_counts=False, err_dist="poisson"
         )
 
         ts = lc.to_astropy_timeseries()
@@ -1558,7 +1560,7 @@ def test_apply_gtis_lc_rate(self, inplace):
         time = np.arange(1, 10, dt)
         countrate = np.zeros_like(time) + 5
         # create the lightcurve from countrare
-        lc_rate = Lightcurve(time, counts=countrate, input_counts=False, gti=[[-0.5, 10.5]])
+        lc_rate = Lightcurve(time, counts=countrate, input_counts=False, gti=[[-0.5, 10.5]], err_dist="poisson")
         lc_rate.gti = [[-0.5, 2.5]]
         lc_rate_new = lc_rate.apply_gtis(inplace=inplace)
         if inplace:
diff --git a/stingray/tests/test_lombscargle.py b/stingray/tests/test_lombscargle.py
index 27e2beb52..5cfd42ba3 100644
--- a/stingray/tests/test_lombscargle.py
+++ b/stingray/tests/test_lombscargle.py
@@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ def test_autofrequency():
 class TestLombScargleCrossspectrum:
     def setup_class(self):
         sim = Simulator(0.0001, 50, 100, 1, random_state=42, tstart=0)
-        lc1 = sim.simulate(0)
-        lc2 = sim.simulate(0)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc1 = sim.simulate(0)
+            lc2 = sim.simulate(0)
         self.rate1 = lc1.countrate
         self.rate2 = lc2.countrate
         low, high = lc1.time.min(), lc1.time.max()
@@ -147,7 +148,9 @@ def test_init_with_negative_max_freq(self):
             lscs = LombScargleCrossspectrum(self.lc1, self.lc2, max_freq=-1)
 
     def test_make_crossspectrum_diff_lc_counts_shape(self):
-        lc_ = Simulator(0.0001, 103, 100, 1, random_state=42, tstart=0).simulate(0)
+        sim = Simulator(0.0001, 103, 100, 1, random_state=42, tstart=0)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc_ = sim.simulate(0)
         with pytest.warns(UserWarning) as record:
             lscs = LombScargleCrossspectrum(self.lc1, lc_)
         assert np.any(["different statistics" in r.message.args[0] for r in record])
@@ -246,7 +249,8 @@ def func(time, phase=0):
 class TestLombScarglePowerspectrum:
     def setup_class(self):
         sim = Simulator(0.0001, 100, 100, 1, random_state=42, tstart=0)
-        lc = sim.simulate(0)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            lc = sim.simulate(0)
         self.rate = lc.countrate
         low, high = lc.time.min(), lc.time.max()
         s1 = lc.counts
diff --git a/stingray/tests/test_varenergyspectrum.py b/stingray/tests/test_varenergyspectrum.py
index a1e5cf446..c281ba73e 100644
--- a/stingray/tests/test_varenergyspectrum.py
+++ b/stingray/tests/test_varenergyspectrum.py
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ def setup_class(cls):
         from ..simulator import Simulator
 
         simulator = Simulator(0.1, 10000, rms=0.2, mean=200)
-        test_lc = simulator.simulate(1)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            test_lc = simulator.simulate(1)
         cls.test_ev1, cls.test_ev2 = EventList(), EventList()
         cls.test_ev1.simulate_times(test_lc)
         cls.test_ev1.energy = np.random.uniform(0.3, 12, len(cls.test_ev1.time))
@@ -190,9 +191,10 @@ def setup_class(cls):
         flux = data / 40
         times = np.arange(data.size) * cls.bin_time
         gti = np.asanyarray([[0, data.size * cls.bin_time]])
-        test_lc = Lightcurve(
-            times, flux, err_dist="gauss", gti=gti, dt=cls.bin_time, skip_checks=True
-        )
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            test_lc = Lightcurve(
+                times, flux, err_dist="gauss", gti=gti, dt=cls.bin_time, skip_checks=True
+            )
 
         cls.test_ev1, cls.test_ev2 = EventList(), EventList()
         cls.test_ev1.simulate_times(test_lc)
@@ -551,8 +553,9 @@ def setup_class(cls):
         times, flux, rolled_flux = times[good], flux[good], rolled_flux[good]
 
         length = times[-1] - times[0]
-        test_ref = Lightcurve(times, flux, err_dist="gauss", dt=dt, skip_checks=True)
-        test_sub = Lightcurve(test_ref.time, rolled_flux, err_dist=test_ref.err_dist, dt=dt)
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match="Beware! Stingray only supports poisson err_dist at the moment in many methods, and 'gauss' in a few more."):
+            test_ref = Lightcurve(times, flux, err_dist="gauss", dt=dt, skip_checks=True)
+            test_sub = Lightcurve(test_ref.time, rolled_flux, err_dist=test_ref.err_dist, dt=dt)
         test_ref_ev, test_sub_ev = EventList(), EventList()
         test_ref_ev.simulate_times(test_ref)
         test_sub_ev.simulate_times(test_sub)