diff --git a/conservancy_beancount/reconcile/prototype_amex_reconciler.py b/conservancy_beancount/reconcile/prototype_amex_reconciler.py
index 274c692..3d6cc87 100644
--- a/conservancy_beancount/reconcile/prototype_amex_reconciler.py
+++ b/conservancy_beancount/reconcile/prototype_amex_reconciler.py
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ def records_match(r1: Dict, r2: Dict) -> Tuple[bool, str]:
         if r1['check_id'] and r2['check_id'] and r1['check_id'] == r2['check_id']:
             check_score = 1.0
         else:
-            check_message = 'Check id not matched'
+            check_message = 'check-id mismatch'
             check_score = 0.0
     else:
         check_score = 0.0
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ def match_statement_and_books(statement_trans: list, books_trans: list):
                 best_match_score = score
                 best_match_index = i
                 best_match_note = note
-        if best_match_score > 0.5 and matches_found == 1 and 'payee_mismatch' not in best_match_note or best_match_score > 0.8:
+        if best_match_score > 0.5 and matches_found == 1 and 'check-id mismatch' not in best_match_note or best_match_score > 0.8:
             if best_match_score <= 0.8:
                 best_match_note.append('only one decent match')
             matches.append(([r1], [books_trans[best_match_index]], best_match_note))
diff --git a/tests/test_reconcile.py b/tests/test_reconcile.py
index ba3d33b..186b5e5 100644
--- a/tests/test_reconcile.py
+++ b/tests/test_reconcile.py
@@ -100,6 +100,15 @@ B3_payee_mismatch_2 = {
     'line': 999,
     'bank_statement': "Financial/Bank-Statements/AMEX/2022-01-12_AMEX_statement.pdf"
 }
+B3_unmatched_check_id = {
+    'date': datetime.date(2022, 1, 3),
+    'amount': decimal.Decimal('30.00'),
+    'payee': 'USPS',
+    'check_id': '1234',
+    'filename': '2022/main.beancount',
+    'line': 999,
+    'bank_statement': "Financial/Bank-Statements/AMEX/2022-01-12_AMEX_statement.pdf"
+}
 
 
 def test_one_exact_match():
@@ -230,3 +239,13 @@ def test_totals():
         ([S2], [], []),
         ([], [B3_next_day], []),
     ]) == (decimal.Decimal('10'), decimal.Decimal('20'), decimal.Decimal('30'))
+
+
+def test_payee_not_considered_if_check_id_present():
+    # These records match aside from check-id.
+    statement = [S3]
+    books = [B3_unmatched_check_id]
+    assert match_statement_and_books(statement, books) == [
+        ([S3], [], ['no match']),
+        ([], [B3_unmatched_check_id], ['no match']),
+    ]