diff --git a/choam/src/main/java/com/salesforce/apollo/choam/CHOAM.java b/choam/src/main/java/com/salesforce/apollo/choam/CHOAM.java
index b9e494963..d0bf95adf 100644
--- a/choam/src/main/java/com/salesforce/apollo/choam/CHOAM.java
+++ b/choam/src/main/java/com/salesforce/apollo/choam/CHOAM.java
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ public void publish(Digest hash, CertifiedBlock cb, boolean beacon) {
                              cb.getBlock().getBodyCase(), hash, ULong.valueOf(cb.getBlock().getHeader().getHeight()),
                              cb.getCertificationsCount(), params.member().getId());
                 }
-                combine.publish(cb, true);
+                combine.publish(cb, !beacon);
             }
 
             @Override