diff --git a/packages/webui/src/public/app.js b/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
index efe7ba9e..ea420eb4 100644
--- a/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
+++ b/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@
     const refused = err.status === 403;
     failed = refused ? 'refused' : true; $('error').hidden = false;
     if (refused) { data = null; selected = null; project = null; if (conv) { $('conv-log').replaceChildren(); closeConversation(); } }
-    if (!data) {
+    if (refused) {
       const why = refused ? 'the board refused the read' : 'the read failed';
       $('projects').innerHTML = `<p class="muted">Not read: ${why}.</p>`;
       for (const id of ['waiting', 'seen', 'sessions']) $(id).replaceChildren();