diff --git a/lib/parfait/class.rb b/lib/parfait/class.rb
index 0308d174..5eeead0d 100644
--- a/lib/parfait/class.rb
+++ b/lib/parfait/class.rb
@@ -58,10 +58,12 @@ module Parfait
     # instantiated. By that logic it should maybe be part of vm rather.
     # On the other hand vague plans to load the hierachy from sof exist, so for now...
     def set_super_class_name sup
+      raise "super_class_name must be a name, not #{sup}" unless sup.is_a?(Symbol)
       self.super_class_name = sup
     end
 
     def super_class
+      puts "Superclass #{super_class_name}"
       Parfait::Space.object_space.get_class_by_name(self.super_class_name)
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/register/boot.rb b/lib/register/boot.rb
index adfa7912..e226381d 100644
--- a/lib/register/boot.rb
+++ b/lib/register/boot.rb
@@ -75,18 +75,13 @@ module Register
         cl.name = name
         classes[name] = cl
       end
-      object_class = classes[:Object]
       # superclasses other than default object
       supers = {  :Object => :Kernel , :Kernel => :Value, :Integer => :Value }
       layout_names.each do |classname , ivar|
         next if classname == :Value  # has no superclass
         clazz = classes[classname]
-        super_name = supers[classname]
-        if super_name
-          clazz.set_super_class_name classes[super_name]
-        else
-          clazz.set_super_class_name object_class
-        end
+        super_name = supers[classname] || :Object
+        clazz.set_super_class_name super_name
       end
     end