diff --git a/hugvey/central_command.py b/hugvey/central_command.py
index 9ed2cf3..0487b63 100644
--- a/hugvey/central_command.py
+++ b/hugvey/central_command.py
@@ -491,6 +491,8 @@ class HugveyState(object):
         self.lightStatus = 0
         self.eventLogger = eventLogger.getChild(f"{self.id}")
         
+        self.blockRestart = False
+        
         self.setStatus(self.STATE_GONE)
 
         self.requireRestartAfterStop = None
@@ -630,6 +632,7 @@ class HugveyState(object):
             if event['event'] == 'restart':
                 self.restart()
             if event['event'] == 'finish':
+                self.blockRestart = True
                 self.story._finish() # finish story AND hugvey state
             if event['event'] == 'resume':
                 self.resume()
@@ -819,8 +822,14 @@ class HugveyState(object):
                 await self.story.run(startMsgId, resuming)
                 
                 if self.command.config['story']['loop']:
-                    self.logger.info("Loop story")
-                    self.restart()
+                    if not self.blockRestart:
+                        self.logger.info("Loop story")
+                        self.restart()
+                    else:
+                        self.logger.info("Don't loop on manual finish")
+                
+                # reset a potential setting of blockRestart
+                self.blockRestart = False
 #             self.story = None
 
     def getStreamer(self):
diff --git a/hugvey/story.py b/hugvey/story.py
index c3fac7d..aee72be 100644
--- a/hugvey/story.py
+++ b/hugvey/story.py
@@ -1273,6 +1273,7 @@ class Story(object):
         self.diversions = []
         self.interruptionDiversions = []
         self.variables = {}
+        self.variableValues = {}  # captured variables from replies
 
     def pause(self):
         self.logger.debug('pause hugvey')