diff --git a/piker/clearing/_client.py b/piker/clearing/_client.py
index f5e2a5e3..436b4f8e 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_client.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_client.py
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ from ._messages import (
     Cancel,
     BrokerdPosition,
 )
-from ..brokers import get_brokermod
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from ._messages import (
@@ -246,13 +245,6 @@ async def open_ems(
         loglevel=loglevel,
     ) as portal:
 
-        mod = get_brokermod(broker)
-        if (
-            not getattr(mod, 'trades_dialogue', None)
-            or mode == 'paper'
-        ):
-            mode = 'paper'
-
         from ._ems import _emsd_main
         async with (
             # connect to emsd
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_ems.py b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
index 151e10c8..68639ae8 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_ems.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
@@ -353,7 +353,6 @@ async def open_brokerd_dialog(
         # a paper-simulator clearing engine.
 
         # load the paper trading engine
-        exec_mode = 'paper'
         log.info(f'{broker}: Entering `paper` trading mode')
 
         # load the paper trading engine as a subactor of this emsd
@@ -370,11 +369,12 @@ async def open_brokerd_dialog(
             loglevel=loglevel,
         )
 
-    # TODO: ideally choose only one of these ep names..
+    # take the first supported ep we detect
+    # on the backend mod.
     trades_endpoint: Callable
     for ep_name in [
-        'trades_dialogue',  # legacy
         'open_trade_dialog',  # probably final name?
+        'trades_dialogue',  # legacy
     ]:
         trades_endpoint = getattr(
             brokermod,