diff --git a/tools/battery/still_battery.py b/tools/battery/still_battery.py
index fd2fa6c68..67276774b 100644
--- a/tools/battery/still_battery.py
+++ b/tools/battery/still_battery.py
@@ -197,11 +197,18 @@ def free_flags(sf_cif, out_mtz, free):
     return f"{col}={val}"
 
 
+def deposited_model(pdb, cache):
+    """The deposited coordinates: PDB format where the RCSB serves it, else mmCIF (entries too large or
+    too new for the PDB format exist only as mmCIF; rugnux and dimple read both)."""
+    return (model_check.fetch(model_check.RCSB + pdb + ".pdb", os.path.join(cache, pdb + ".pdb"))
+            or model_check.fetch(model_check.RCSB + pdb + ".cif", os.path.join(cache, pdb + ".cif")))
+
+
 def refine(wd, e, cache):
     """dimple of the deposited model against our merge, reindexed into the deposition's group, with the
     deposition's free set, cut at the deposition's resolution. (R_work, R_free, note)."""
     pdb = e["pdb"].lower()
-    xyz = model_check.fetch(model_check.RCSB + pdb + ".pdb", os.path.join(cache, pdb + ".pdb"))
+    xyz = deposited_model(pdb, cache)
     sf = model_check.fetch(model_check.RCSB + pdb + "-sf.cif", os.path.join(cache, pdb + "-sf.cif"))
     if not (xyz and sf) or not os.path.exists(os.path.join(wd, "p.mtz")):
         return None, None, "no model, structure factors or merge"
@@ -235,7 +242,7 @@ def run_one(run_dir, binary, e, st, opts):
     model = None
     if e.get("pdb"):
         pdb = e["pdb"].lower()
-        model = model_check.fetch(model_check.RCSB + pdb + ".pdb", os.path.join(st["pdb_cache"], pdb + ".pdb"))
+        model = deposited_model(pdb, st["pdb_cache"])
     cmd, short = command(binary, e, st["data_root"], opts, model)
     io_bytes = sum(os.path.getsize(f) for f in files)
     if opts["cold"]: