diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/peer/server/PeerManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/peer/server/PeerManager.java
index 7c630a2c7..a04bd39bc 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/peer/server/PeerManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/peer/server/PeerManager.java
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ public class PeerManager
 
     protected LockHandler createLockHandler (PeerNode peer, NodeObject.Lock lock, boolean acquire)
     {
-        LockHandler handler = new LockHandler(peer, lock, true);
+        LockHandler handler = new LockHandler(peer, lock, acquire);
         _locks.put(lock, handler);
         return handler;
     }