Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A base station and a UE may determine that a first transmission on a first set of beams is unsuccessful. The base station and the UE may perform a beam sweep using a plurality of inactive beams based on the determination. The UE may transmit an indication of a second set of beams to the base station. The second set of beams may be selected by the UE based on the beam sweep. Responsive to the indication, the base station and the UE may communicate a second transmission on the second set of beams based at least in part on the indication. The second transmission may be a retransmission of the first transmission.