diff --git a/basis/math/functions/functions.factor b/basis/math/functions/functions.factor
index d31112bce2..3ba6bfd324 100644
--- a/basis/math/functions/functions.factor
+++ b/basis/math/functions/functions.factor
@@ -16,10 +16,9 @@ M: ratio >fraction [ numerator ] [ denominator ] bi ; inline
 
 GENERIC: sqrt ( x -- y ) foldable
 
-M: real sqrt >float sqrt ; inline
-
-M: float sqrt
-    dup 0.0 < [ neg fsqrt [ 0.0 ] dip rect> ] [ fsqrt ] if ; inline
+M: real sqrt
+    >float dup 0.0 <
+    [ neg fsqrt [ 0.0 ] dip rect> ] [ fsqrt ] if ; inline
 
 : factor-2s ( n -- r s )
     #! factor an integer into 2^r * s