diff --git a/buildqueue/worker.go b/buildqueue/worker.go
index cfec8b8..192d96d 100644
--- a/buildqueue/worker.go
+++ b/buildqueue/worker.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"golang.org/x/net/html"
+	"pault.ag/go/debian/version"
 )
 
 func StartPackageQueueWorker(ctx context.Context) {
@@ -34,22 +35,34 @@ func StartPackageQueueWorker(ctx context.Context) {
 						if v.Status == domain.Current {
 							return true
 						}
-						version := v.NewVersion
-						if version == "" {
-							version = v.Version
+						vs := v.NewVersion
+						if vs == "" {
+							vs = v.Version
 						}
-						if v.Status == domain.Missing {
+						if v.LastBuildStatus == domain.Error {
+							if v.BuildAttempts > 0 {
+								buildAttempt = v.BuildAttempts
+							}
+						}
+						if v.Status == domain.Missing || v.Status == domain.Stale {
 							needsBuild = true
-							buildVersion = version
-							buildAttempt = v.BuildAttempts
-							return false
 						}
-						if v.Status == domain.Stale {
-							needsBuild = true
-							buildVersion = version
-							buildAttempt = v.BuildAttempts
-							return false
+						if buildVersion == "" {
+							buildVersion = vs
+						} else {
+							ver, err := version.Parse(buildVersion)
+							if err != nil {
+								return true
+							}
+							vsVer, err := version.Parse(vs)
+							if err != nil {
+								return true
+							}
+							if version.Compare(ver, vsVer) < 0 {
+								buildVersion = vs
+							}
 						}
+
 						return true
 					})
 					if needsBuild {