diff --git a/swarm/pss/pss.go b/swarm/pss/pss.go
index e709f12885..ab9b40e425 100644
--- a/swarm/pss/pss.go
+++ b/swarm/pss/pss.go
@@ -947,20 +947,22 @@ func (p *Pss) forward(msg *PssMsg) error {
 
 	// proximity order function matching up to neighbourhoodDepth bits (po <= neighbourhoodDepth)
 	pof := pot.DefaultPof(neighbourhoodDepth)
-	depth, _ := pof(to, p.BaseAddr(), 0)
-	if depth > luminosityRadius {
-		depth = luminosityRadius
+
+	// soft threshold of msg propagation
+	threshold, _ := pof(to, p.BaseAddr(), 0)
+	if threshold > luminosityRadius {
+		threshold = luminosityRadius
 	}
 
-	// if measured from the recipient address (as opposed to the base address), then peers
-	// that fall in the same proximity bin as recipient address will appear one bit closer
-	// (at least), under condition that these additional bits exist in the recipient address.
-	if depth < luminosityRadius && depth < neighbourhoodDepth {
-		depth++
+	// if measured from the recipient address as opposed to the base address (see Kademlia.EachConn
+	// call below), then peers that fall in the same proximity bin as recipient address will appear
+	// [at least] one bit closer, but only if these additional bits are given in the recipient address.
+	if threshold < luminosityRadius && threshold < neighbourhoodDepth {
+		threshold++
 	}
 
 	p.Kademlia.EachConn(to, addressLength*8, func(sp *network.Peer, po int, _ bool) bool {
-		if po < depth && sent > 0 {
+		if po < threshold && sent > 0 {
 			return false // stop iterating
 		}
 		if sendMessage(p, sp, msg) {