diff --git a/build-aux/bootstrap/rebirth/relibprebirth.scm b/build-aux/bootstrap/rebirth/relibprebirth.scm
index d1fc688..9d7b8bd 100644
--- a/build-aux/bootstrap/rebirth/relibprebirth.scm
+++ b/build-aux/bootstrap/rebirth/relibprebirth.scm
@@ -142,10 +142,12 @@
            0
            xs))
    (define (- . xs)
-     (fold (lambda (y x)
-             (string->es "$$x - $$y"))
-           (car xs)
-           (cdr xs)))
+     (if (= (length xs) 1)
+         (- 0 (car xs))
+         (fold (lambda (y x)
+                 (string->es "$$x - $$y"))
+               (car xs)
+               (cdr xs))))
    (define (zero? x)
      (eq? x 0))