diff --git a/src/ctrl/ctrl_core.c b/src/ctrl/ctrl_core.c
index 60293720..9815847c 100644
--- a/src/ctrl/ctrl_core.c
+++ b/src/ctrl/ctrl_core.c
@@ -3426,7 +3426,7 @@ ctrl_call_stack_from_thread(CTRL_Scope *scope, CTRL_EntityCtx *entity_ctx, CTRL_
   //- rjf: loop: try to grab cached call stack; request; wait
   //
   B32 can_request = !ins_atomic_u64_eval(&ctrl_state->ctrl_thread_run_state);
-  for(;;)
+  for(U64 retry_idx = 0;; retry_idx += 1)
   {
     //- rjf: [read-only] try to look for current call stack; wait if working
     B32 node_exists = 0;
@@ -3462,6 +3462,12 @@ ctrl_call_stack_from_thread(CTRL_Scope *scope, CTRL_EntityCtx *entity_ctx, CTRL_
       }
     }
     
+    //- rjf: out of time => exit
+    if(retry_idx > 0 && os_now_microseconds() >= endt_us)
+    {
+      break;
+    }
+    
     //- rjf: [write] node does not exist => create; request if new or stale
     B32 need_request = (!node_exists || node_stale);
     CTRL_CallStackCacheNode *node_to_request = 0;
@@ -3501,12 +3507,6 @@ ctrl_call_stack_from_thread(CTRL_Scope *scope, CTRL_EntityCtx *entity_ctx, CTRL_
         node_to_request->working_count -= 1;
       }
     }
-    
-    //- rjf: out of time => exit
-    if(os_now_microseconds() >= endt_us)
-    {
-      break;
-    }
   }
   
   return call_stack;