diff --git a/pkg/base-dev/lib/strandio.hoon b/pkg/base-dev/lib/strandio.hoon
index 8d5263fd5c..cd94449473 100644
--- a/pkg/base-dev/lib/strandio.hoon
+++ b/pkg/base-dev/lib/strandio.hoon
@@ -756,6 +756,6 @@
   ;<  ~      bind:m  (take-kick /awaiting/[tid])
   ?+  p.cage  ~|([%strange-thread-result p.cage file tid] !!)
     %thread-done  (pure:m %& q.cage)
-    %thread-fail  (pure:m %| !<([term tang] q.cage))
+    %thread-fail  (pure:m %| ;;([term tang] q.q.cage))
   ==
 --