diff --git a/crates/attractor/src/engine.rs b/crates/attractor/src/engine.rs
index 15950065a..f57f991ce 100644
--- a/crates/attractor/src/engine.rs
+++ b/crates/attractor/src/engine.rs
@@ -604,10 +604,11 @@ impl PipelineEngine {
             match outcome.status {
                 StageStatus::Success
                 | StageStatus::PartialSuccess
+                | StageStatus::Fail
                 | StageStatus::Skipped => {
                     return Ok((outcome, attempt));
                 }
-                StageStatus::Fail | StageStatus::Retry => {
+                StageStatus::Retry => {
                     if attempt < policy.max_attempts {
                         let delay = policy.backoff.delay_for_attempt(attempt);
                         self.emitter.emit(&PipelineEvent::StageRetrying {
diff --git a/crates/attractor/src/validation/rules.rs b/crates/attractor/src/validation/rules.rs
index 971eb34fe..e45df775b 100644
--- a/crates/attractor/src/validation/rules.rs
+++ b/crates/attractor/src/validation/rules.rs
@@ -94,24 +94,12 @@ impl LintRule for TerminalNodeRule {
             return vec![Diagnostic {
                 rule: self.name().to_string(),
                 severity: Severity::Error,
-                message: "Pipeline must have exactly one terminal node (shape=Msquare or id exit/end)".to_string(),
+                message: "Pipeline must have at least one terminal node (shape=Msquare or id exit/end)".to_string(),
                 node_id: None,
                 edge: None,
                 fix: Some("Add a node with shape=Msquare or id 'exit'/'end'".to_string()),
             }];
         }
-        if terminal_count > 1 {
-            return vec![Diagnostic {
-                rule: self.name().to_string(),
-                severity: Severity::Error,
-                message: format!(
-                    "Pipeline must have exactly one terminal node, found {terminal_count}"
-                ),
-                node_id: None,
-                edge: None,
-                fix: Some("Remove extra terminal nodes so exactly one remains".to_string()),
-            }];
-        }
         Vec::new()
     }
 }