diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go
index c5627690..2e1d3c87 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/fakes_test.go
@@ -128,6 +128,19 @@ type fakeController struct {
 	planned *DeliveryPlan
 	// forgot are the pull requests whose check builds were let go of (novox/hq ADR 0350 §5), "owner/repo#n".
 	forgot []string
+	// queue is the build queue as Check fills it: every ask made is held, waiting, until a test takes it out (a lost
+	// ask, issue 1274); queueDown makes the queue unreadable.
+	queue     []QueuedAsk
+	queueDown bool
+}
+
+func (c *fakeController) Queue() ([]QueuedAsk, error) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	if c.queueDown {
+		return nil, errors.New("the queue cannot be read")
+	}
+	return append([]QueuedAsk(nil), c.queue...), nil
 }
 
 // BackupsAgain records the word, and clears the walk's failed backups as the controller does.
@@ -199,6 +212,7 @@ func (c *fakeController) Check(group string, ms []Member) (string, error) {
 	}
 	c.checks = append(c.checks, group+":"+strings.Join(heads, ","))
 	for _, m := range ms {
+		c.queue = append(c.queue, QueuedAsk{ID: id, State: "waiting", Kind: "check", Repository: m.Repository, Commit: m.Head})
 		c.checkReady = append(c.checkReady, m.Ready)
 		c.baseSHAs = append(c.baseSHAs, m.BaseSHA)
 	}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go
index 301ed7ed..fa731a8e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/holder.go
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ type Holder struct {
 	unreached  string
 	// askTried is when a check this owner asks was last tried and could not be asked: tried again a minute on.
 	askTried map[string]time.Time
+	// lostRead is when the build queue was last read for a proposed delivery's asked check (issue 1274).
+	lostRead map[string]time.Time
 	// walkAsked is when a walk that carried a step still judging was last asked for by its id: once an hour.
 	walkAsked map[string]time.Time
 	refusals  []string
@@ -165,6 +167,7 @@ func (h *Holder) init() {
 	h.unmatched = map[string]unmatched{}
 	h.waitsWhy = map[string]string{}
 	h.askTried = map[string]time.Time{}
+	h.lostRead = map[string]time.Time{}
 	h.walkAsked = map[string]time.Time{}
 	h.unchecked = map[string]unchecked{}
 	h.walks = map[string]seenWalk{}
@@ -1392,6 +1395,10 @@ func (h *Holder) plan() []func() {
 	if a := h.askChecks(now); a != nil {
 		asks = append(asks, a)
 	}
+	// Proposed, its check asked and held by no entry of the build queue past the bound: asked again (issue 1274).
+	if a := h.lostChecks(now); a != nil {
+		asks = append(asks, a)
+	}
 
 	// Merged with no walk yet: tied to the newest walk heard that answers it — by name, by its own commit, or by
 	// the forge's word that the walk's commit contains it, asked here (novox/hq issue 362).
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1274_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1274_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..170452c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1274_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Issue 1274: a proposed delivery whose asked check the build queue no longer holds is asked again, and a recheck from
+// proposed is taken when no check of its head is waiting or in flight.
+
+// 1274/AC1: the queue holds nothing for the ask, the sweep runs after the bound: the check is asked once more and the
+// transition says the earlier ask was lost.
+func TestACheckTheQueueLostIsAskedAgainBySweepAfterTheBound(t *testing.T) {
+	w := newWorld(t)
+	id := IDOf("novox/app", head)
+	w.h.PullUpdated(pr("novox/app", 7, head, "feat/x", "src/a.go"))
+	w.settleAll()
+	first := w.delivery(id).CheckAsk
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 1 || first == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %v, ask %+v", w.ctl.checks, first)
+	}
+	w.ctl.queue = nil // the queue lost it
+	w.later(9 * time.Minute)
+	w.settleAll()
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("asked again inside the bound: %v", w.ctl.checks)
+	}
+	w.later(2 * time.Minute)
+	w.settleAll()
+	d := w.delivery(id)
+	last := d.Transitions[len(d.Transitions)-1]
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 2 || d.CheckAsk == nil || d.CheckAsk.ID == first.ID || last.Event != EvLost ||
+		!strings.Contains(last.Why, first.ID) || !strings.Contains(last.Why, "lost") {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %v; ask %+v; last transition %+v", w.ctl.checks, d.CheckAsk, last)
+	}
+	w.later(time.Hour)
+	w.settleAll()
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("an ask the queue holds was asked again: %v", w.ctl.checks)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1274/AC1: a verdict that went out of date, its check against the trunk's head asked and lost, is asked again too (the
+// case of novox/mesh-controller@28a278c1462a), and the ask's bound runs from the new ask.
+func TestACheckAgainstTheTrunkTheQueueLostIsAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	w := approvedGroup(t)
+	id := IDOf(gCtl, gHc)
+	w.h.PullMerged(merged(gCtl, 5, "5555555555555555", gT1))
+	w.settleAll()
+	d := w.delivery(id)
+	if d.State != Proposed || d.AskedAgain == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("it is %s, asked again %v", d.State, d.AskedAgain)
+	}
+	asked := len(w.ctl.checks)
+	w.ctl.queue = nil
+	w.later(11 * time.Minute)
+	w.settleAll()
+	d = w.delivery(id)
+	last := d.Transitions[len(d.Transitions)-1]
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != asked+1 || last.Event != EvLost || d.AskedAgain == nil || !d.AskedAgain.After(w.now.Add(-time.Minute)) {
+		t.Fatalf("asked %v; last transition %+v; asked again %v", w.ctl.checks[asked:], last, d.AskedAgain)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1274/AC2: the queue still holds the ask, waiting or in flight, or cannot be read: nothing is asked again.
+func TestACheckTheQueueStillHoldsIsNotAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	w := newWorld(t)
+	id := IDOf("novox/app", head)
+	w.h.PullUpdated(pr("novox/app", 7, head, "feat/x", "src/a.go"))
+	w.settleAll()
+	w.ctl.queue[0].State = "in flight"
+	w.later(3 * time.Hour)
+	w.settleAll()
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("an ask in flight was asked again: %v", w.ctl.checks)
+	}
+	w.ctl.queue = nil
+	w.ctl.queueDown = true
+	w.later(time.Hour)
+	w.settleAll()
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 1 || w.delivery(id).State != Proposed {
+		t.Fatalf("an unreadable queue asked again: %v", w.ctl.checks)
+	}
+	w.ctl.queueDown = false
+	w.later(3 * time.Minute)
+	w.ctl.queue = []QueuedAsk{{ID: "elsewhere", State: "dead", Kind: "check", Repository: "novox/app", Commit: head}}
+	w.settleAll()
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("a dead ask counted as held: %v", w.ctl.checks)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1274/AC3: recheck of a proposed delivery with no check waiting or in flight is taken and asks its check; with one
+// held it is refused naming it.
+func TestARecheckFromProposedIsTakenOnlyWhenNoCheckOfItsHeadIsHeld(t *testing.T) {
+	w := newWorld(t)
+	id := IDOf("novox/app", head)
+	w.h.PullUpdated(pr("novox/app", 7, head, "feat/x", "src/a.go"))
+	w.settleAll()
+	held := w.delivery(id).CheckAsk.ID
+	if _, err := w.h.Recheck(id, "nothing came", "jochen"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), held) {
+		t.Fatalf("a recheck with a check waiting: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := w.h.Recheck(id, "", "jochen"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a recheck with no why was taken")
+	}
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused recheck asked: %v", w.ctl.checks)
+	}
+	w.ctl.queue = nil
+	said, err := w.h.Recheck(id, "nothing came", "jochen")
+	d := w.delivery(id)
+	last := d.Transitions[len(d.Transitions)-1]
+	if err != nil || len(w.ctl.checks) != 2 || d.State != Proposed || last.Event != EvLost || last.By != "jochen" ||
+		!strings.Contains(last.Why, "nothing came") || d.CheckAsk.ID != "check-2" || !strings.Contains(said, "check-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("%q %v; asked %v; last transition %+v", said, err, w.ctl.checks, last)
+	}
+	// Taken, it is now held: a second recheck is refused.
+	if _, err := w.h.Recheck(id, "again", "jochen"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "check-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("a second recheck: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// 1274/AC4: a group member re-asked this way has its group's composed check asked again at the members' heads once its
+// own check answers.
+func TestAGroupMemberReaskedAfterALostCheckHasTheComposedCheckAskedAgain(t *testing.T) {
+	w := approvedGroup(t)
+	id := IDOf(gCat, gHk)
+	if _, err := w.h.Recheck(id, "its verdict is wanted again", "jochen"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	w.settleAll() // its own check is recorded as asked
+	w.h.mu.Lock()
+	w.h.groups["feat/g"].Check.OutOfDate = "" // as if the composed check stood: only the lost ask's own act marks it
+	w.h.mu.Unlock()
+	w.ctl.queue = nil
+	w.later(11 * time.Minute)
+	w.settleAll()
+	g := w.h.groups["feat/g"]
+	if g.Check.OutOfDate == "" || !strings.Contains(g.Check.OutOfDate, "lost") {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed check stands: %+v", g.Check)
+	}
+	first := g.Check.Asked
+	asked := len(w.ctl.checks)
+	w.later(time.Minute)
+	w.h.Checked(judged(gCat, 2, gHk, "pass", gTrunk0))
+	w.settleAll()
+	last := w.ctl.checks[len(w.ctl.checks)-1]
+	if len(w.ctl.checks) <= asked || !strings.HasPrefix(last, "feat/g:") || w.h.groups["feat/g"].Check.Asked == first {
+		t.Fatalf("the composed check was not asked again: %v", w.ctl.checks[asked:])
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1349_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1349_test.go
index bb282ec2..195bef45 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1349_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/issue1349_test.go
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ func TestTheGatesCodeCallsNoForgeWriteToolAndNoDeliveryPlan(t *testing.T) {
 	forbidden := []string{"delivery-plan", "gitea_commit_status\"", "gitea_delivery_view", "gitea_note_append", "gitea_add_comment",
 		"gitea_merge_pull_request\"", "gitea_open_pulls_write"}
 	// The controller's verbs the gate calls: ADR 0450 §7.
-	allowed := []string{"deliver", "delivery-stop", "delivery-backups-again", "delivery-walks", "delivery-check", "forget-checks", "plans"}
+	allowed := []string{"deliver", "delivery-stop", "delivery-backups-again", "delivery-walks", "delivery-check", "forget-checks", "plans", "queue"}
 	called := map[string]bool{}
 	fset := token.NewFileSet()
 	for _, f := range files {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/lostcheck.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/lostcheck.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..07725fa8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/lostcheck.go
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// A check the build queue lost (novox/hq issue 1274).
+//
+// A proposed delivery waits for a check it asked of the controller. When the build queue loses that ask — taken by a
+// build agent that was replaced, or dropped with the queue's own state — nothing answers and nothing asks again: the
+// delivery stays proposed until a new head is pushed, and a recheck from proposed was refused. The sweep now reads the
+// controller's `queue` and asks again a check that no entry holds (neither waiting nor in flight; a dead one is not
+// held) for longer than lostCheckBound. A recheck of a proposed delivery is taken on the same fact. Both are the
+// table's EvLost, said in the delivery's transitions; neither asks while the queue holds an ask of the head, so no
+// ask is made twice. A queue that cannot be read asks nothing: a guess would risk a duplicate.
+
+// lostReadEvery is how often the queue is read for one proposed delivery's ask: the read is one bus call, and a check
+// the queue holds is looked at again no sooner.
+const lostReadEvery = 2 * time.Minute
+
+// lostCheckBound is how long a proposed delivery's asked check may go with no entry in the build queue before it is
+// asked again: the repository's last measured check time (ADR 0505 §4, lastCheckTime), at least UncheckedAfter (ten
+// minutes, the bound a check never asked is said at). Under the lock.
+func (h *Holder) lostCheckBound(repository string) time.Duration {
+	return max(UncheckedAfter, h.lastCheckTime(repository))
+}
+
+// awaitedSince is when a proposed delivery's check was asked, when it waits for one this owner asked: no verdict yet,
+// or a verdict out of date with its check against the trunk's head asked. False for a delivery waiting for none.
+func awaitedSince(d *Delivery) (time.Time, bool) {
+	if d.State != Proposed || d.MergedAs != "" || d.Number == 0 {
+		return time.Time{}, false
+	}
+	switch {
+	case d.Check == nil && askedCheck(d):
+		return d.CheckAsk.At, true
+	case d.Check != nil && d.outOfDate() != "" && d.AskedAgain != nil:
+		return *d.AskedAgain, true
+	}
+	return time.Time{}, false
+}
+
+// heldBy is the queue's entry that holds a check of the delivery's head: its own ask by id, or any check of its
+// repository at its head — a group's composed check included, which a second ask would only repeat.
+func heldBy(d *Delivery, asks []QueuedAsk) *QueuedAsk {
+	for i, a := range asks {
+		if !a.Holds() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if d.CheckAsk != nil && d.CheckAsk.ID != "" && a.ID == d.CheckAsk.ID {
+			return &asks[i]
+		}
+		if a.Kind == "check" && a.Commit != "" && sameCommit(a.Commit, d.Commit) &&
+			strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(a.Repository), strings.ToLower(d.Repository)) {
+			return &asks[i]
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a QueuedAsk) words() string {
+	// The controller's `queue` says the state "in flight", its table's word.
+	state := strings.ReplaceAll(a.State, "-", " ")
+	if state == "in flight" && a.Machine != "" {
+		return a.ID + " is in flight on " + a.Machine
+	}
+	return a.ID + " is " + state + " in the build queue"
+}
+
+// lostChecks are the asks again of proposed deliveries whose asked check the build queue holds no entry of, past the
+// bound, at each look. Under the lock; the queue is read, and the asks made, outside it.
+func (h *Holder) lostChecks(now time.Time) func() {
+	var ids []string
+	for id, d := range h.deliveries {
+		since, ok := awaitedSince(d)
+		if !ok {
+			delete(h.lostRead, id)
+			continue
+		}
+		due := since.Add(h.lostCheckBound(d.Repository))
+		if now.Before(due) {
+			h.lookAt(due, "a proposed delivery's asked check, read in the build queue once its bound passed")
+			continue
+		}
+		if read, was := h.lostRead[id]; was && now.Sub(read) < lostReadEvery {
+			h.lookAt(read.Add(lostReadEvery), "a proposed delivery's asked check, looked for in the build queue again")
+			continue
+		}
+		h.lostRead[id] = now
+		h.lookAt(now.Add(lostReadEvery), "a proposed delivery's asked check, looked for in the build queue again")
+		ids = append(ids, id)
+	}
+	if len(ids) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return func() {
+		asks, err := h.Controller.Queue()
+		if err != nil {
+			h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] the build queue cannot be read, so no check is asked again for a lost ask: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		for _, id := range ids {
+			h.mu.Lock()
+			d := h.deliveries[id]
+			since, ok := time.Time{}, false
+			if d != nil {
+				since, ok = awaitedSince(d)
+			}
+			var held *QueuedAsk
+			if ok {
+				held = heldBy(d, asks)
+			}
+			var why string
+			if ok && held == nil {
+				what := "its check against the trunk's head"
+				if d.Check == nil {
+					what = "its check " + d.CheckAsk.ID
+				}
+				why = fmt.Sprintf("%s, asked %s ago, is held by no entry of the build queue (neither waiting nor in flight): "+
+					"lost, asked again", what, h.Now().Sub(since).Round(time.Second))
+			}
+			h.mu.Unlock()
+			if why == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if _, err := h.askLost(id, byOwner, why, asks); err != nil {
+				h.Logf("[mesh-delivery] %s: its lost check could not be asked again: %v", id, err)
+				h.again("a proposed delivery's lost check that could not be asked again")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// recheckProposed is `recheck` of a proposed delivery (issue 1274): taken, with why, when no check of its head is
+// waiting or in flight in the build queue, and refused naming the one that is. A queue that cannot be read refuses it.
+func (h *Holder) recheckProposed(id, why, by string) (string, error) {
+	if why == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("a recheck says why")
+	}
+	asks, err := h.Controller.Queue()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s is not rechecked: the build queue cannot be read (%v), so whether its check is still held is not known", id, err)
+	}
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	d := h.deliveries[id]
+	var held *QueuedAsk
+	if d != nil {
+		held = heldBy(d, asks)
+	}
+	h.mu.Unlock()
+	if held != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s is not rechecked: its check is still held, %s", id, held.words())
+	}
+	return h.askLost(id, by, why, asks)
+}
+
+// askLost asks a proposed delivery's check again, the table's EvLost: tried first on a copy, so an ask the controller
+// does not take spends nothing. Its group's composed check goes out of date, and is asked once the member answers.
+func (h *Holder) askLost(id, by, why string, asks []QueuedAsk) (string, error) {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	d := h.deliveries[id]
+	if d == nil {
+		h.mu.Unlock()
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("no delivery %q", id)
+	}
+	if held := heldBy(d, asks); held != nil {
+		h.mu.Unlock()
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s is not asked again: its check is still held, %s", id, held.words())
+	}
+	probe := *d
+	probe.Transitions = nil
+	if _, err := Apply(&probe, EvLost, true, Facts{Now: h.Now(), Why: why, By: by}); err != nil {
+		h.mu.Unlock()
+		return "", err
+	}
+	m := MemberOf(d)
+	if d.Check != nil && d.outOfDate() != "" && d.TrunkNow != "" {
+		m.BaseSHA = d.TrunkNow
+	}
+	h.mu.Unlock()
+	asked, err := h.Controller.Check("", []Member{m})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s's check could not be asked again yet: %w", id, err)
+	}
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	defer h.mu.Unlock()
+	d = h.deliveries[id]
+	if d == nil || d.State != Proposed {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s moved while its check was asked again", id)
+	}
+	now := h.Now()
+	t, err := Apply(d, EvLost, true, Facts{Now: now, Why: why + " — asked as " + asked, By: by})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	d.CheckAsk = &CheckAsk{ID: asked, At: now, By: by, Why: why}
+	if d.Check != nil {
+		d.AskedAgain, d.FreshWanted = &now, false
+	}
+	delete(h.askTried, id)
+	if g := h.groups[d.Group]; g != nil && g.Check != nil {
+		g.Check.OutOfDate = fmt.Sprintf("composed check out of date: %s's check was lost in the build queue and asked again", d.ID)
+		g.Check.OutOfDateAt = now
+		g.Updated = now
+		h.keepGroup(g)
+	}
+	h.moved(d, []Transition{t})
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s: its check was held by no entry of the build queue and is asked again as %s (%s)", id, asked, why), nil
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/manifest_test.go
index b1ca5f0f..4a9c41bc 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/manifest_test.go
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func TestItClaimsTheDeliverySeatAndFollowsWhatItHandles(t *testing.T) {
 	// It calls exactly the controller's seven verbs (ADR 0450 §7) and reads the forge with three tools; the forge's
 	// writes are the bridge's (ADR 0437 §8). It uses no operator-channel: the teller asks (ADR 0437 §6).
 	want := []string{}
-	for _, v := range []string{"deliver", "delivery-stop", "delivery-backups-again", "delivery-walks", "delivery-check", "forget-checks", "plans"} {
+	for _, v := range []string{"deliver", "delivery-stop", "delivery-backups-again", "delivery-walks", "delivery-check", "forget-checks", "queue", "plans"} {
 		want = append(want, "seat:"+ControllerSeat+"."+v)
 	}
 	want = append(want, "gitea.gitea_commit_statuses", "gitea.gitea_contains", "gitea.gitea_open_pulls")
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ports.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ports.go
index 4cb8767f..c2af77b7 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ports.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/ports.go
@@ -67,8 +67,24 @@ type Controller interface {
 	Walks(walk string) (bool, []Walk, error)
 	// ForgetChecks lets go of the builds a pull request's merge checks made for its merge (novox/hq ADR 0350 §5).
 	ForgetChecks(owner, repo string, number int) error
+	// Queue is every ask the build queue holds, waiting or in flight (the controller's `queue`, novox/hq issue 455): what
+	// tells a check still on its way from one the queue lost (issue 1274). A dead ask is not held.
+	Queue() ([]QueuedAsk, error)
 }
 
+// QueuedAsk is one ask of the build queue as the controller's `queue` answers it as data.
+type QueuedAsk struct {
+	ID         string `json:"id"`
+	State      string `json:"state"` // waiting, in flight or dead
+	Kind       string `json:"kind"`  // check or delivery
+	Repository string `json:"repository"`
+	Commit     string `json:"commit,omitempty"`
+	Machine    string `json:"machine,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Holds is whether the ask is still the queue's to run: waiting or in flight, never dead.
+func (q QueuedAsk) Holds() bool { return q.State != "dead" }
+
 // Forge is what the forge's holder does for a delivery.
 type Forge interface {
 	// Statuses reads a commit's statuses — a pull request's head's, given its number — and whether the branch
@@ -250,6 +266,20 @@ func (c seatController) Check(group string, members []Member) (string, error) {
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("the controller's delivery-check answered no check id (%s): it is not taken as asked", clip(string(raw), 200))
 }
 
+func (c seatController) Queue() ([]QueuedAsk, error) {
+	raw, err := c.verb("queue", map[string]any{})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var a struct {
+		Asks []QueuedAsk `json:"asks"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &a); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the controller's queue is not readable: %w", err)
+	}
+	return a.Asks, nil
+}
+
 func (c seatController) Deliver(walk, why string) error {
 	_, err := c.verb("deliver", map[string]any{"plan": walk, "why": why})
 	return err
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table.go
index b8ed6d08..96826ae5 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table.go
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ const (
 	EvRefused         Event = "refused"          // the verdict fails, or the check could not run
 	EvRecheck         Event = "recheck"          // a person asked for it again, or its group changed
 	EvReask           Event = "re-ask"           // healer H2 asked a check asked and not answered once more
+	EvLost            Event = "check lost"       // the build queue holds no check of its head and it was asked: asked again (issue 1274)
 	EvNewHead         Event = "new-head"         // a newer head of the same pull request
 	EvClosed          Event = "closed"           // the pull request closed unmerged
 	EvMerged          Event = "merged"           // it reached the trunk
@@ -240,6 +241,24 @@ var Table = []Row{
 			return nil
 		}},
 
+	// **A check the build queue lost is asked again** (novox/hq issue 1274): a proposed delivery waits for a check, and
+	// the queue, which the table cannot read, holds none of its head. The act (the sweep's or a person's recheck) reads
+	// the queue first and says why; the table keeps it to a delivery that waits for a verdict.
+	{From: []State{Proposed}, Event: EvLost, To: Proposed, Act: true,
+		Guard: "it waits for a check — no verdict yet, or one out of date — nothing of its head is waiting or in flight in " +
+			"the build queue, and who asks says why",
+		Holds: func(d *Delivery, f Facts) error {
+			switch {
+			case f.Why == "" || f.By == "":
+				return errors.New("a lost check's ask says who and why")
+			case d.MergedAs != "":
+				return errors.New("it is merged")
+			case d.Check != nil && d.outOfDate() == "":
+				return errors.New("its verdict is known")
+			}
+			return nil
+		}},
+
 	{From: []State{Published}, Event: EvSuperseded, To: Superseded,
 		Guard: "its walk was superseded and names no walk that took it over: a walk that took it over answers its merge, and it follows that walk (novox/hq ADR 0276)",
 		Holds: func(d *Delivery, f Facts) error {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table_test.go
index 573e4935..87f5b5c9 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/table_test.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func aDeliveryFor(r Row) (*Delivery, Facts) {
 		d.Check = &Verdict{Gate: "pass"}
 	case EvRefused:
 		d.Check = &Verdict{Gate: "fail"}
-	case EvRecheck, EvRelease, EvStop:
+	case EvRecheck, EvRelease, EvStop, EvLost:
 		f.Why, f.By = "a person's reason", "jochen"
 		if r.Event == EvStop && !r.Act {
 			f = Facts{Now: now}
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func TestEveryRowOfTheTableIsTakenWhenItsGuardHoldsAndRefusedWhenNot(t *testing.
 }
 
 func TestEveryPairTheTableDoesNotHoldIsRefusedByName(t *testing.T) {
-	events := []Event{EvAnnounced, EvAppeared, EvAdopted, EvChecked, EvAccepted, EvRefused, EvRecheck, EvReask, EvNewHead,
+	events := []Event{EvAnnounced, EvAppeared, EvAdopted, EvChecked, EvAccepted, EvRefused, EvRecheck, EvReask, EvLost, EvNewHead,
 		EvClosed, EvMerged, EvMergedUnchecked, EvGo, EvHold, EvRelease, EvDone, EvFailed, EvSuperseded, EvStop,
 		EvHistory, EvRetire, EvCovered, EvLifted, EvRewalk, EvTrunkMoved, EvBackupFailed}
 	for _, from := range append([]State{None}, AllStates...) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go
index b20ecf9a..27e876c5 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/cmd/mesh-delivery-gate/verbs.go
@@ -303,6 +303,11 @@ func (h *Holder) Recheck(id, why, by string) (string, error) {
 		h.mu.Unlock()
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("no delivery %q", id)
 	}
+	if d.State == Proposed {
+		// A proposed delivery's check is asked again when the build queue holds none of its head (issue 1274).
+		h.mu.Unlock()
+		return h.recheckProposed(id, why, by)
+	}
 	// Whether the table takes it, tried on a copy: nothing is said on the forge for a recheck it refuses.
 	probe := *d
 	probe.Transitions = append([]Transition(nil), d.Transitions...)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json
index d3faa1dd..b9a06d0e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-gate/module.json
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@
     "seat:mesh-controller.delivery-walks",
     "seat:mesh-controller.delivery-check",
     "seat:mesh-controller.forget-checks",
+    "seat:mesh-controller.queue",
     "seat:mesh-controller.plans",
     "gitea.gitea_commit_statuses",
     "gitea.gitea_contains",