diff --git a/packages/webui/src/public/app.js b/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
index efe7ba9e..0dac0174 100644
--- a/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
+++ b/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@
     failed = refused ? 'refused' : true; $('error').hidden = false;
     if (refused) { data = null; selected = null; project = null; if (conv) { $('conv-log').replaceChildren(); closeConversation(); } }
     if (!data) {
-      const why = refused ? 'the board refused the read' : 'the read failed';
+      const why = 'the board refused the read';
       $('projects').innerHTML = `<p class="muted">Not read: ${why}.</p>`;
       for (const id of ['waiting', 'seen', 'sessions']) $(id).replaceChildren();
       for (const id of ['waiting-count', 'seen-count', 'session-count']) $(id).textContent = '–';