diff --git a/recover_duts/hooks/check_ethernet.hook b/recover_duts/hooks/check_ethernet.hook
index ebf78a1..0e03fd7 100755
--- a/recover_duts/hooks/check_ethernet.hook
+++ b/recover_duts/hooks/check_ethernet.hook
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 
 # See do_suspend() in src/third_party/autotest/files/client/cros/power/sys_power.py
 PAUSE_FILE=/run/autotest_pause_ethernet_hook
-paused_time=0
 
 
 # Critical messages should be sent to /var/log/messages.  Other messages should
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@
 
   # Acquire the lock and hold it until exit, if possible.
   if try_pause_lock; then
-    if [ -n "${paused_time}" -a "${paused_time}" -lt 30 ]; then
+    if [ -n "${paused_time}" ] && [ "${paused_time}" -lt 30 ]; then
       # We were recently paused. Skip this iteration, in case the Ethernet link
       # is still coming up.
       info_msg "Last locked ${paused_time} seconds ago; skipping"
@@ -266,6 +265,9 @@
     # File wasn't locked - no need to pause.
     return 1
   fi
+  # Couldn't grab the lock, but also couldn't get a timestamp for it? Just
+  # assume it was recently locked.
+  [ -z "${paused_time}" ] && paused_time=0
 
   if [ -z "${start_time}" ]; then
     # Couldn't figure out lock time - just clobber it.