diff --git a/api/paidAction/itemCreate.js b/api/paidAction/itemCreate.js
index be7a77d6..fb4ae550 100644
--- a/api/paidAction/itemCreate.js
+++ b/api/paidAction/itemCreate.js
@@ -20,18 +20,15 @@ export async function getBaseCost ({ models, bio, parentId, subName }) {
 
   if (parentId) {
     // the subname is stored in the root item of the thread
-    const parent = await models.item.findFirst({
-      where: { id: Number(parentId) },
-      include: {
-        root: { include: { sub: true } },
-        sub: true
-      }
-    })
+    const [sub] = await models.$queryRaw`
+      SELECT s."replyCost"
+      FROM "Item" i
+      LEFT JOIN "Item" r ON r.id = i."rootId"
+      LEFT JOIN "Sub" s ON s.name = COALESCE(r."subName", i."subName")
+      WHERE i.id = ${Number(parentId)}`
 
-    const root = parent.root ?? parent
-
-    if (!root.sub) return DEFAULT_ITEM_COST
-    return satsToMsats(root.sub.replyCost)
+    if (!sub) return DEFAULT_ITEM_COST
+    return satsToMsats(sub.replyCost)
   }
 
   const sub = await models.sub.findUnique({ where: { name: subName } })
diff --git a/fragments/items.js b/fragments/items.js
index c9c2a8da..c58de13a 100644
--- a/fragments/items.js
+++ b/fragments/items.js
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ export const ITEM_FULL_FIELDS = gql`
         moderated
         meMuteSub
         meSubscription
+        replyCost
       }
     }
     forwards {