diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go
index 8d1e9f79..b4dd98e2 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/gate.go
@@ -644,7 +644,14 @@ func judgeMoves(ctx context.Context, open *stores, g *inventory.PlanGate, pairs
 		p, s := gateWants(m, shelf[m])
 		wants, settles = max(wants, p), settles || s
 	}
+	if len(modules) == 0 {
+		// A send judged on no machine of its modules (its first machine not running them) has no class to
+		// be judged by: it is judged as the core, never passed at once without a reading.
+		wants, settles = gatePasses, true
+	}
 	g.Wants = wants
+	// A module's own pass is its own class's: a leaf beside a core module that fails keeps its build after
+	// its one reading, and only what did not pass is put back (issue 318's rule, by class since issue 524).
 	passedAlone := func(m string) bool {
 		p, s := gateWants(m, shelf[m])
 		return (settled || !s) && reading[m] <= healthPerson && g.Healthy[m] >= p
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/gate_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/gate_test.go
index d25fe4b9..ced2ccce 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/gate_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/gate_test.go
@@ -300,6 +300,7 @@ func TestAModuleIsJudgedByItsClass(t *testing.T) {
 		{"mesh-host", nil, 3, true},
 		{"node-tools", nil, 3, true},
 		{"nats", nil, 3, true},
+		{catalogue.DeliverySeat, nil, 3, true},
 		{"dnsmasq", []catalogue.Claim{{Name: resolverSeat}}, 3, true},
 	} {
 		p, s := gateWants(c.module, catalogue.Manifest{Module: c.module, Claims: c.claims})
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/tier_send_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/tier_send_test.go
index ba99dd49..c91a8fc0 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/tier_send_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/tier_send_test.go
@@ -439,3 +439,38 @@ func TestATierPutsABrokenModuleBackAtOnce(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+// **A send carrying a core module waits for the core's readings** (issue 524 review): the leaf beside the node
+// tools has its one reading at once, but the send is judged as the core: not before the settle time, and three
+// readings.
+func TestASendCarryingTheCoreIsJudgedAsTheCore(t *testing.T) {
+	tm := aTierMesh(t, broker.RuntimeModule, "app1")
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	// One reading counted per advance, as every test with a gate left open does: a gate judged with no time
+	// between readings would count a pass at every look and never let an advance rest.
+	gateEvery, gateSettle = time.Hour, time.Hour
+	for i := 0; i < 6; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, tm.open)
+	}
+	p := tm.plan(t)
+	lead := p.Modules[broker.RuntimeModule].Gate
+	if lead == nil {
+		lead = p.Modules["app1"].Gate
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(tm.sent, [][]string{{"anchor"}}) || !p.Open() || lead == nil || lead.Verdict != "" || lead.Wants != gatePasses {
+		t.Fatalf("passed before the core's settle time: sent %v, plan %s (%s), gate %+v", tm.sent, p.State, p.Note, lead)
+	}
+	gateEvery, gateSettle = 0, 0
+	for i := 0; i < 6; i++ {
+		advancePlans(ctx, tm.open)
+	}
+	p = tm.plan(t)
+	if p.State != inventory.PlanDone || !reflect.DeepEqual(tm.sent, [][]string{{"anchor"}, {"laptop"}}) {
+		t.Fatalf("the plan is %s (%s), sent %v", p.State, p.Note, tm.sent)
+	}
+	for _, m := range []string{broker.RuntimeModule, "app1"} {
+		if g := p.Modules[m].Gate; g != nil && (g.Verdict != inventory.GatePassed || g.Passes < gatePasses) {
+			t.Fatalf("%s's gate: %+v; want passed on %d readings", m, g, gatePasses)
+		}
+	}
+}