diff --git a/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/task/TaskAttributeFactory.java b/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/task/TaskAttributeFactory.java
index 7b1faf0..65cd203 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/task/TaskAttributeFactory.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/task/TaskAttributeFactory.java
@@ -204,11 +204,6 @@
           // to make a task have a FAIL status.
           return Status.FAIL;
         }
-        if (definition.pass == null) {
-          // A task with a FAIL but no PASS criteria is a PASS-FAIL task
-          // (they are never "READY").  It didn't fail, so pass.
-          return Status.PASS;
-        }
       }
 
       if (attribute.subTasks != null && !isAll(attribute.subTasks, Status.PASS)) {
diff --git a/src/main/resources/Documentation/task.md b/src/main/resources/Documentation/task.md
index 4a38c61..2b01f31 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/Documentation/task.md
+++ b/src/main/resources/Documentation/task.md
@@ -119,6 +119,12 @@
 one subtask is applicable. Setting this to "True" is useful for defining
 informational tasks that are not really expected to execute.
 
+A task with a `fail` key but no pass key has an implied `pass` key which is
+the opposite of the `fail` key as if the fail had a `NOT` in front of it.
+Such tasks can only pass, fail, or be waiting for their subtasks, they
+can never be ready! If they have not failed, and their subtasks have
+passed, they have passed also.
+
 Example:
 ```
     pass = label:verified+1
diff --git a/src/main/resources/Documentation/task_states.md b/src/main/resources/Documentation/task_states.md
index 0c29233..1365769 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/Documentation/task_states.md
+++ b/src/main/resources/Documentation/task_states.md
@@ -38,6 +38,21 @@
   applicable = is:open
   fail = is:open
 
+[root "Root PASS-waiting-fail"]
+  applicable = is:open
+  fail = NOT is:open
+  subtask = Subtask PASS
+
+[root "Root pass-WAITING-fail"]
+  applicable = is:open
+  fail = NOT is:open
+  subtask = Subtask FAIL
+
+[root "Root pass-waiting-FAIL"]
+  applicable = is:open
+  fail = is:open
+  subtask = Subtask PASS
+
 [root "Root grouping PASS (subtask PASS)"]
   subtask = Subtask PASS
 
@@ -488,6 +503,42 @@
                "status" : "FAIL"
             },
             {
+               "hasPass" : true,
+               "name" : "Root PASS-waiting-fail",
+               "status" : "PASS",
+               "subTasks" : [
+                  {
+                     "hasPass" : true,
+                     "name" : "Subtask PASS",
+                     "status" : "PASS"
+                  }
+               ]
+            },
+            {
+               "hasPass" : true,
+               "name" : "Root pass-WAITING-fail",
+               "status" : "WAITING",
+               "subTasks" : [
+                  {
+                     "hasPass" : true,
+                     "name" : "Subtask FAIL",
+                     "status" : "FAIL"
+                  }
+               ]
+            },
+            {
+               "hasPass" : true,
+               "name" : "Root pass-waiting-FAIL",
+               "status" : "FAIL",
+               "subTasks" : [
+                  {
+                     "hasPass" : true,
+                     "name" : "Subtask PASS",
+                     "status" : "PASS"
+                  }
+               ]
+            },
+            {
                "hasPass" : false,
                "name" : "Root grouping PASS (subtask PASS)",
                "status" : "PASS",
diff --git a/test/all b/test/all
index 6c4f10e..0a04577 100644
--- a/test/all
+++ b/test/all
@@ -60,6 +60,48 @@
             },
             {
                "applicable" : true,
+               "hasPass" : true,
+               "name" : "Root PASS-waiting-fail",
+               "status" : "PASS",
+               "subTasks" : [
+                  {
+                     "applicable" : true,
+                     "hasPass" : true,
+                     "name" : "Subtask PASS",
+                     "status" : "PASS"
+                  }
+               ]
+            },
+            {
+               "applicable" : true,
+               "hasPass" : true,
+               "name" : "Root pass-WAITING-fail",
+               "status" : "WAITING",
+               "subTasks" : [
+                  {
+                     "applicable" : true,
+                     "hasPass" : true,
+                     "name" : "Subtask FAIL",
+                     "status" : "FAIL"
+                  }
+               ]
+            },
+            {
+               "applicable" : true,
+               "hasPass" : true,
+               "name" : "Root pass-waiting-FAIL",
+               "status" : "FAIL",
+               "subTasks" : [
+                  {
+                     "applicable" : true,
+                     "hasPass" : true,
+                     "name" : "Subtask PASS",
+                     "status" : "PASS"
+                  }
+               ]
+            },
+            {
+               "applicable" : true,
                "hasPass" : false,
                "name" : "Root grouping PASS (subtask PASS)",
                "status" : "PASS",