diff --git a/autopilot/agent.go b/autopilot/agent.go
index 8e625c14..2fe123c9 100644
--- a/autopilot/agent.go
+++ b/autopilot/agent.go
@@ -584,6 +584,7 @@ func (a *Agent) openChans(availableFunds btcutil.Amount, numChans uint32,
 
 	// Use the heuristic to calculate a score for each node in the
 	// graph.
+	log.Debugf("Scoring %d nodes for chan_size=%v", len(nodes), chanSize)
 	scores, err := a.cfg.Heuristic.NodeScores(
 		a.cfg.Graph, totalChans, chanSize, nodes,
 	)
diff --git a/autopilot/interface.go b/autopilot/interface.go
index 34ef7597..b63661e3 100644
--- a/autopilot/interface.go
+++ b/autopilot/interface.go
@@ -188,10 +188,11 @@ func init() {
 // open a channel within the graph to a target peer, close targeted channels,
 // or add/remove funds from existing channels via a splice in/out mechanisms.
 type ChannelController interface {
-	// OpenChannel opens a channel to a target peer, with a capacity of the
-	// specified amount. This function should un-block immediately after
-	// the funding transaction that marks the channel open has been
-	// broadcast.
+	// OpenChannel opens a channel to a target peer, using at most amt
+	// funds. This means that the resulting channel capacity might be
+	// slightly less to account for fees. This function should un-block
+	// immediately after the funding transaction that marks the channel
+	// open has been broadcast.
 	OpenChannel(target *btcec.PublicKey, amt btcutil.Amount) error
 
 	// CloseChannel attempts to close out the target channel.
diff --git a/pilot.go b/pilot.go
index 5748cf97..9a0f402c 100644
--- a/pilot.go
+++ b/pilot.go
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ func (c *chanController) OpenChannel(target *btcec.PublicKey,
 	req := &openChanReq{
 		targetPubkey:    target,
 		chainHash:       *activeNetParams.GenesisHash,
+		subtractFees:    true,
 		localFundingAmt: amt,
 		pushAmt:         0,
 		minHtlc:         minHtlc,