diff --git a/modules/Markov.py b/modules/Markov.py
index b2f9125..886d612 100644
--- a/modules/Markov.py
+++ b/modules/Markov.py
@@ -410,7 +410,6 @@ class Markov(Module):
                             self.log.debug("gen_words: {0:s}".format(" ".join(gen_words)))
                             break
 
-                hit_word = seed_word
             else:
                 # work forwards
                 self.log.debug("looking forwards")
@@ -482,6 +481,10 @@ class Markov(Module):
                         self.log.debug("appending following short new_chain_words: {0:s}".format(new_chain_words))
                         gen_words += new_chain_words
 
+            # no matter forwards or backwards, use the end of the sentence
+            # as our current hit word
+            hit_word = gen_words[-1]
+
         # chop off the seed data at the start
         gen_words = gen_words[2:]