diff --git a/net_alerter/net_alerter.py b/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
index 9c819e6..a090ca4 100644
--- a/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
+++ b/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
@@ -1787,15 +1787,14 @@ def personal_watchdog() -> None:
                 # Check if device is silent
                 if now - ts > WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT_SEC:
                     # Only fire if device is currently known and not already departing
-                    # Don't hold lock when calling on_departure
+                    should_depart = False
                     with known_lock:
                         if mac in known_devices and not known_devices[mac].get('departing'):
-                            # Copy the device info before releasing lock
-                            dev_info = known_devices[mac].copy()
-                    
-                    # Fire departure outside the lock
-                    logging.info(f"Watchdog: personal device {mac} silent >{WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT_SEC}s, triggering departure")
-                    on_departure(mac)
+                            should_depart = True
+
+                    if should_depart:
+                        logging.info(f"Watchdog: personal device {mac} silent >{WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT_SEC}s, triggering departure")
+                        on_departure(mac)
         
         except Exception as e:
             logging.error(f"Watchdog thread error: {e}")