diff --git a/ovos_workshop/skills/fallback.py b/ovos_workshop/skills/fallback.py
index 1b84d4f6..8cfe0054 100644
--- a/ovos_workshop/skills/fallback.py
+++ b/ovos_workshop/skills/fallback.py
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def _handle_fallback_request(self, message: Message):
             try:
                 handler_name = get_handler_name(handler)
                 # call handler, conditionally activating the skill
-                status = self._conditional_activate(handler, message=message)
+                status = handler(message)
                 if status:
                     # indicate completion
                     break