The HUSH complex preserves genome integrity through epigenetic silencing of invasive retroelements. A new study led by Josh Danac in the Tchasovnikarova lab now describes HUSH2, a related complex that instead represses interferon-stimulated genes. The cell exploits competition between HUSH and HUSH2 to couple retroelement silencing to the immune response, thereby bridging epigenetic and immune aspects of genome defense.