diff --git a/basis/math/ratios/ratios.factor b/basis/math/ratios/ratios.factor
index bf572ac352..b71d28f7da 100644
--- a/basis/math/ratios/ratios.factor
+++ b/basis/math/ratios/ratios.factor
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ M: integer recip
     ] if-zero ;
 
 M: ratio recip
-    >fraction swap fraction> ;
+    >fraction swap dup 0 < [ [ neg ] bi@ ] when fraction> ;
 
 M: ratio hashcode*
     nip >fraction [ hashcode ] bi@ bitxor ;