diff --git a/core/assocs/assocs.factor b/core/assocs/assocs.factor
index 0c0667e730..ec56cffff7 100755
--- a/core/assocs/assocs.factor
+++ b/core/assocs/assocs.factor
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ GENERIC: >alist ( assoc -- newassoc )
 M: assoc assoc-like drop ;
 
 : ?at ( key assoc -- value/key ? )
-    dupd at* [ [ nip ] [ drop ] if ] keep ; inline
+    2dup at* [ 2nip t ] [ 2drop f ] if ; inline
 
 <PRIVATE