diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/24-complete.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/24-complete.js
index ea665a265..4e361fa5b 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/24-complete.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/common/24-complete.js
@@ -21,6 +21,15 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
         RED.nodes.createNode(this,n);
         var node = this;
         this.scope = n.scope;
+
+        // auto-filter out any directly connected nodes to avoid simple loopback
+        const w = node.wires.flat().toString();
+        for (let i=0; i < this.scope.length; i++) {
+            if (w.includes(this.scope[i])) {
+                this.scope.splice(i, 1);
+            }
+        }
+
         this.on("input",function(msg, send, done) {
             send(msg);
             done();