diff --git a/packages/webui/src/public/app.js b/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
index efe7ba9e..8636ad73 100644
--- a/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
+++ b/packages/webui/src/public/app.js
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@
   function error(err) {
     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 (refused) { data = null; selected = null; project = null; if (conv) { closeConversation(); } }
     if (!data) {
       const why = refused ? 'the board refused the read' : 'the read failed';
       $('projects').innerHTML = `<p class="muted">Not read: ${why}.</p>`;