diff --git a/lib/tasks/gather.js b/lib/tasks/gather.js
index df421893..c3e6bdec 100644
--- a/lib/tasks/gather.js
+++ b/lib/tasks/gather.js
@@ -515,10 +515,6 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
 
     /* count words for bargein feature */
     const words = evt.alternatives[0].transcript.split(' ').length;
-    const bufferedWords = this._bufferedTranscripts.reduce((count, e) => {
-      return count + e.alternatives[0].transcript.split(' ').length;
-    }, 0);
-
     if (evt.is_final) {
       if (evt.alternatives[0].transcript === '' && !this.callSession.callGone && !this.killed) {
         if ('microsoft' === this.vendor && finished === 'true') {
@@ -549,14 +545,14 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
           return this._resolve(this._bufferedTranscripts.length > 0 ? 'speech' : 'timeout');
         }
         this._startAsrTimer();
-        return this._startTranscribing(ep);
+        if ('microsoft' !== this.vendor) this._startTranscribing(ep);
+        return;
       }
       else {
-        if (this.bargein && (words + bufferedWords) < this.minBargeinWordCount) {
-          this.logger.debug({evt, words, bufferedWords},
-            'TaskGather:_onTranscription - final transcript but < min barge words');
-          this._bufferedTranscripts.push(evt);
-          this._startTranscribing(ep);
+        if (this.bargein && words < this.minBargeinWordCount) {
+          this.logger.debug({evt},
+            `TaskGather:_onTranscription - got ${words} but minBargein is ${this.minBargeinWordCount}; discarding`);
+          if ('microsoft' !== this.vendor) this._startTranscribing(ep);
           return;
         }
         else {
@@ -570,9 +566,9 @@ class TaskGather extends Task {
         others do not.
       */
       //const isStableEnough = typeof evt.stability === 'undefined' || evt.stability > GATHER_STABILITY_THRESHOLD;
-      if (this.bargein && (words + bufferedWords) >= this.minBargeinWordCount) {
+      if (this.bargein && words >= this.minBargeinWordCount) {
         if (!this.playComplete) {
-          this.logger.debug({transcript: evt.alternatives[0].transcript}, 'killing audio due to speech');
+          this.logger.debug({transcript: evt.alternatives[0].transcript}, 'killing audio due to minBargein words');
           this.emit('vad');
         }
         this._killAudio(cs);