diff --git a/tidepool/src/main.rs b/tidepool/src/main.rs
index 30e320a..7871063 100644
--- a/tidepool/src/main.rs
+++ b/tidepool/src/main.rs
@@ -350,9 +350,9 @@ fn run_simulation(
 
     let time_start = Instant::now();
 
-    while sim.lines_left() > 0 {
+    'playing: while sim.lines_left() > 0 {
         if exit_early.load(atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
-            break;
+            break 'playing;
         }
 
         // initialize the bot for the current state
@@ -373,8 +373,11 @@ fn run_simulation(
             bot.think_for(gas);
 
             // send a heartbeat back to the main thread to test if its still alive
-            if exit_early.load(atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) || tx.send(Msg::Heartbeat(id)).is_err() {
-                break;
+            if tx.send(Msg::Heartbeat(id)).is_err() {
+                break 'playing;
+            }
+            if exit_early.load(atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                break 'playing;
             }
         }
 
@@ -382,7 +385,7 @@ fn run_simulation(
             // this should never fail unless something went wrong e.g. not enough iters,
             // impossible board state, or buggy bot
             tracing::warn!("gave up :( pieces={}, id={id}", sim.pieces());
-            break;
+            break 'playing;
         };
 
         sim.play(placement);
@@ -399,7 +402,7 @@ fn run_simulation(
             time: Instant::now() - time_start,
         };
         if tx.send(Msg::Status(id, status.into())).is_err() {
-            break;
+            break 'playing;
         }
     }