diff --git a/web/chat.html b/web/chat.html
index 1f57e46..f23c42f 100644
--- a/web/chat.html
+++ b/web/chat.html
@@ -1597,7 +1597,9 @@ async function sendCurrentMsg() {
   if (!msg) return;
   if (!carrierOn) { logLine('err', 'start carrier first'); return; }
   const mode = currentMode();
-  const baud = negotiatedBaud || myMaxBaud || ZEBRA_BAUD_DEFAULT;
+  /* must match the inbound decoder, which stays at ZEBRA_BAUD_HANDSHAKE for the
+   * life of the link — data sent at any other baud won't decode on the far side. */
+  const baud = ZEBRA_BAUD_HANDSHAKE;
   try {
     if (mode === 'passphrase') {
       if (!groupKey) { logLine('err', 'no room key'); return; }