diff --git a/bin/slave.py b/bin/slave.py
index aafe5bf..e2d4cf1 100644
--- a/bin/slave.py
+++ b/bin/slave.py
@@ -63,5 +63,9 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
 
   shutdown = False
   while not shutdown:
+    # this sleep prevents a race condition in work(): someone putting
+    # themselves in as ready, pulling someone elses's shutdown signal, then
+    # putting their name in again.
     time.sleep(5)
+
     shutdown = work(inq, outq, g, myname)