diff --git a/lisp/erc/erc-track.el b/lisp/erc/erc-track.el
index f5ea63ae764..6306df3fa2a 100644
--- a/lisp/erc/erc-track.el
+++ b/lisp/erc/erc-track.el
@@ -1006,7 +1006,7 @@ Failing that, choose the first face in both NEW-FACES and NORMALS."
                  (dolist (candidate (cdr ranks))
                    (when (and (not (equal candidate choice))
                               (gethash candidate (car new-faces))
-                              (gethash choice normals))
+                              (gethash candidate normals))
                      (throw 'face candidate)))
                  ;; Otherwise, go with any "normal" face other than
                  ;; `choice' in the region.