diff --git a/src/CelerisLab/lbm/hierarchy.py b/src/CelerisLab/lbm/hierarchy.py
index e729715..c578771 100644
--- a/src/CelerisLab/lbm/hierarchy.py
+++ b/src/CelerisLab/lbm/hierarchy.py
@@ -62,7 +62,10 @@ def build_hierarchy(cfg, refinements, *, wall_aware=False):
     if pairs:
         kinds.append(pairs[-1].fine_kind)
     else:
-        kinds.append(np.full((cfg.ny, cfg.nx), ACTIVE, np.uint8))
+        kind = np.full((cfg.ny, cfg.nx), ACTIVE, np.uint8)
+        if wall_aware:
+            kind[[0, -1]] = OUTER_GHOST
+        kinds.append(kind)
     return Hierarchy(tuple(configs), tuple(pairs), tuple(kinds))
 
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_hierarchy.py b/tests/unit/test_hierarchy.py
index ea2bca9..843efca 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_hierarchy.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_hierarchy.py
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ class LegacyForms(unittest.TestCase):
         one = build_hierarchy(SMALL, [])
         self.assertEqual(one.depth, 1)
         self.assertTrue((one.kinds[0] == r.ACTIVE).all())
+        walled = build_hierarchy(SMALL, [], wall_aware=True)  # regression: no refinement
+        self.assertTrue((walled.kinds[0][[0, -1]] == r.OUTER_GHOST).all())
+        self.assertTrue((walled.kinds[0][1:-1] == r.ACTIVE).all())
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":