diff --git a/damus/NIP10/ThreadReply.swift b/damus/NIP10/ThreadReply.swift
index 46f04f46..ffc61c7e 100644
--- a/damus/NIP10/ThreadReply.swift
+++ b/damus/NIP10/ThreadReply.swift
@@ -48,6 +48,11 @@ struct ThreadReply {
             }
         }
 
+        // reply with no root should be considered reply-to-root
+        if root == nil && reply != nil {
+            root = reply
+        }
+
         // nip10 threads must have a root
         guard let root else {
             return nil