diff --git a/lib/publish.js b/lib/publish.js
index e81fc1a057454..2cbb1121ce0c0 100644
--- a/lib/publish.js
+++ b/lib/publish.js
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ function upload (pkg, isRetry, cached, opts) {
           )).finally(() => {
             // ignore errors.  Use the force.  Reach out with your feelings.
             return otplease(opts, opts => {
-              return upload(pkg, true, tarball, opts)
+              return upload(pkg, true, cached, opts)
             }).catch(() => {
               // but if it fails again, then report the first error.
               throw err