diff --git a/js.go b/js.go
index db76d1518..d526978b2 100644
--- a/js.go
+++ b/js.go
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ func (js *js) PublishMsg(m *Msg, opts ...PubOpt) (*PubAck, error) {
 	}
 
 	if err != nil {
-		for r, ttl := 0, o.ttl; err == ErrNoResponders && r < o.rnum; r++ {
+		for r, ttl := 0, o.ttl; err == ErrNoResponders && (r < o.rnum || o.rnum < 0); r++ {
 			// To protect against small blips in leadership changes etc, if we get a no responders here retry.
 			if o.ctx != nil {
 				select {