diff --git a/forgetest/forgetest/runner.py b/forgetest/forgetest/runner.py
index 7a76787..27cd4fe 100644
--- a/forgetest/forgetest/runner.py
+++ b/forgetest/forgetest/runner.py
@@ -485,6 +485,7 @@ class Context:
             rec["fixture_error"] = str(e)
             self.log("ARM press: fixture failed (%s) - asking the operator", e)
             self.notice(text)
+            self._clear_when_taken()
             return False
         rec["by"] = "fixture"
         self.log("ARM press by the fixture, at the machine's own press prompt")
@@ -566,6 +567,7 @@ class Context:
             if lit is None:
                 self.log("ARM: the button never lit within %d s - asking the operator", lit_timeout)
                 self.notice(text)
+                self._clear_when_taken()
                 return
             try:
                 fixture.act("button", "press")
@@ -573,6 +575,7 @@ class Context:
                 self.log("ARM press: fixture failed (%s) - asking the operator", e)
                 rec["fixture_error"] = str(e)
                 self.notice(text)
+                self._clear_when_taken()
                 return
             rec["by"] = "fixture"
             rec["took_s"] = round(lit, 2)
diff --git a/forgetest/tests/test_fixture.py b/forgetest/tests/test_fixture.py
index 0e114fb..1346057 100644
--- a/forgetest/tests/test_fixture.py
+++ b/forgetest/tests/test_fixture.py
@@ -594,6 +594,38 @@ class RoutingTests(unittest.TestCase):
                 time.sleep(0.02)
             self.assertFalse(watching())
             self.assertIsNotNone(run.notice)             # the finished run's notice is left as it was
+            # A press the fixture could not make is asked of the operator, and
+            # that notice comes down at the press like any other: press_now and
+            # arm_press with the box refusing, and arm_press with the button
+            # never lit for the box.
+            self.stub.arm_press = True
+            self.stub.fail = True
+            run = Run("test", "r.live", "r.live")
+            ctx = Context(run, self.runner, self.reg["r.live"])
+
+            def settles(up):
+                deadline = time.time() + 2
+                while (run.notice is not None) != up and time.time() < deadline:
+                    time.sleep(0.02)
+                return (run.notice is not None) == up
+            lit["v"] = True                              # the machine waits for the press
+            self.assertFalse(ctx.press_now())            # the box is off: the operator is asked
+            self.assertIsNotNone(run.notice)
+            time.sleep(0.2)                              # lit: the arm waits for the press
+            lit["v"] = False                             # the operator's press is taken
+            self.assertTrue(settles(False))
+            lit["v"] = True
+            self.assertTrue(ctx.arm_press())             # the fixture is asked, and refuses
+            self.assertTrue(settles(True))
+            time.sleep(0.2)
+            lit["v"] = False
+            self.assertTrue(settles(False))
+            self.assertTrue(ctx.arm_press(lit_timeout=0))  # the button never lit for the fixture
+            self.assertTrue(settles(True))
+            lit["v"] = True
+            time.sleep(0.2)
+            lit["v"] = False
+            self.assertTrue(settles(False))
         finally:
             runner_mod.hw.button_lit = saved