diff --git a/basis/http/http.factor b/basis/http/http.factor
index e450631d94..03cca05ff3 100755
--- a/basis/http/http.factor
+++ b/basis/http/http.factor
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ TUPLE: cookie name value version comment path domain expires max-age http-only s
                 { [ dup real? ] [ number>string ] }
                 [ ]
             } cond
-            check-cookie-string "=" swap check-cookie-string 3append ,
+            [ check-cookie-string ] bi@ "=" swap 3append ,
         ]
     } case ;