diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index fd7f9a8..d229d68 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -129,6 +129,16 @@ function initGoals(peer, config) {
   const watch = Obz()
 
   /**
+   * @param {Range} range
+   * @returns {boolean}
+   */
+  function isEmptyRange(range) {
+    const [min, max] = range
+    return min > max
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Determine the range of msg depths that are goalful for this given tangle.
    * @private
    * @param {Goal} goal
    * @param {Tangle} tangle
@@ -226,8 +236,9 @@ function initGoals(peer, config) {
       if (goal.type === 'none') break asRoot
       const tangle = peer.db.getTangle(msgID)
       if (!tangle) break asRoot
-      const [min, max] = crossGoalWithTangle(goal, tangle)
-      if (min > max) break asRoot
+      const range = crossGoalWithTangle(goal, tangle)
+      if (isEmptyRange(range)) break asRoot
+      const [min] = range
       if (min === 0) return ['goal']
       if (min > 0) servesAsTrail = true
     }