diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/buildcmds.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/buildcmds.rs
index 7c404571a5..07b178bacc 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/buildcmds.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/buildcmds.rs
@@ -576,8 +576,9 @@ impl Track {
 /// ends at its end (an open subpath), and whether it runs the whole subpath. The middle of the
 /// edge's first segment places it, and its ends are taken where they lie that far along the source,
 /// so a path that passes a point twice is told apart. An edge that runs against the direction of its
-/// source is reversed first, and a closed edge is started at the anchor where its source starts
-/// (one with no anchor there does not count as running the whole subpath). `None` when the edge is
+/// source is reversed first, and a closed edge as long as its closed source is started at the anchor
+/// where its source starts (one with no anchor there, or a shorter loop cut from a source that
+/// crosses itself, does not count as running the whole subpath). `None` when the edge is
 /// not a single piece found on the source.
 fn edge_run(tracks: &[Track], edge: &mut PathData) -> Option<(f64, bool, bool, bool)> {
     use kurbo::{ParamCurve, ParamCurveArclen};
@@ -630,6 +631,7 @@ fn edge_run(tracks: &[Track], edge: &mut PathData) -> Option<(f64, bool, bool, b
     // Start it at the anchor where the source starts, so settings that follow the path begin there.
     let start = track.segs.first().map(|s| s.start())?;
     let moved = edge_closed
+        && (length - track.len()).abs() <= ON_SOURCE.max(track.len() * 1e-4)
         && edge.subpaths.first_mut().is_some_and(|sp| match sp.anchors.iter().position(|a| a.p.distance(start) <= ON_SOURCE) {
             Some(k) => {
                 sp.anchors.rotate_left(k);
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/build.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/build.rs
index e503dfe2fc..f45644d951 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/build.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/build.rs
@@ -2830,6 +2830,22 @@ fn live_paint_make_starts_a_closed_edge_where_its_path_starts() {
             assert_eq!(e.appearance.items, rows, "clockwise {clockwise}, start {start}");
         }
     }
+    // A closed path that crosses itself is cut into loops, and the loop that holds the path's
+    // first anchor is still only part of the path: it keeps no brush.
+    let mut s = session();
+    let anchors = [(0.0, 0.0), (100.0, 100.0), (100.0, 0.0), (0.0, 100.0)].map(|(x, y)| json!({"x": x, "y": y}));
+    let z = NodeId(s.execute("path.create", &json!({"anchors": anchors, "closed": true})).unwrap()["id"].as_u64().unwrap());
+    let row = stroke_row(Paint::solid(Color::BLACK), 2.0, |st| {
+        st.dash = Some(Dash { pattern: vec![10.0, 5.0], offset: 2.0, align_corners: false });
+        st.brush = Some("Charcoal".into());
+    });
+    set_rows(&mut s, z, vec![row]);
+    s.execute("select.set", &json!({"ids": [z.0]})).unwrap();
+    let g = NodeId(s.execute("livePaint.make", &json!({})).unwrap()["id"].as_u64().unwrap());
+    let gn = node(&s, g);
+    let edges = vectorcraft_tools::builder::edges(&gn);
+    assert!(edges.len() > 1, "the crossing cuts the path, got {} edge", edges.len());
+    assert!(edges.iter().all(|e| e.appearance.stroke().is_some_and(|st| st.brush.is_none())), "no loop is the whole path");
 }
 
 /// When Make cuts a stroke whose only setting that depends on direction is a gradient along or