diff --git a/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative.go b/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative.go
index ca6ba2d7..06be05c9 100644
--- a/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative.go
+++ b/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative.go
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ package yqlib
 
 func alternativeOperator(d *dataTreeNavigator, context Context, expressionNode *ExpressionNode) (Context, error) {
 	log.Debugf("-- alternative")
-	return crossFunction(d, context.ReadOnlyClone(), expressionNode, alternativeFunc, true)
+	return crossFunction(d, context, expressionNode, alternativeFunc, true)
 }
 
 func alternativeFunc(d *dataTreeNavigator, context Context, lhs *CandidateNode, rhs *CandidateNode) (*CandidateNode, error) {
diff --git a/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative_test.go b/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative_test.go
index f4a986c4..3b852fa8 100644
--- a/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative_test.go
+++ b/pkg/yqlib/operator_alternative_test.go
@@ -6,10 +6,13 @@ import (
 
 var alternativeOperatorScenarios = []expressionScenario{
 	{
+		// to match jq - we do not use a readonly clone context on the LHS.
 		skipDoc:    true,
 		expression: `.b // .c`,
 		document:   `a: bridge`,
-		expected:   []string{},
+		expected: []string{
+			"D0, P[c], (!!null)::null\n",
+		},
 	},
 	{
 		skipDoc:    true,