diff --git a/scripts/tests/e2/ships.lua b/scripts/tests/e2/ships.lua
index 5cd723f8e..b038553b8 100644
--- a/scripts/tests/e2/ships.lua
+++ b/scripts/tests/e2/ships.lua
@@ -183,16 +183,32 @@ function test_give_ship_only_to_captain()
     local u1 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
     local u2 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
     local u3 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
-    u2.ship = ship.create(r, 'boat')
-    u3.ship = u2.ship
     u1.ship = ship.create(r, 'boat')
     u1.ship.number = 2
+    u2.ship = ship.create(r, 'boat')
+    u3.ship = u2.ship
     u1:add_order("GIB " .. itoa36(u3.id) .. " 1 SCHIFF")
     process_orders()
     assert_equal(2, u1.ship.number)
     assert_equal(1, u2.ship.number)
 end
 
+function test_give_ship_only_from_captain()
+    local r = region.create(1, 0, 'ocean')
+    local f = faction.create("human")
+    local u1 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
+    local u2 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
+    local u3 = unit.create(f, r, 1)
+    u2.ship = ship.create(r, 'boat')
+    u1.ship = ship.create(r, 'boat')
+    u1.ship.number = 2
+    u3.ship = u1.ship
+    u3:add_order("GIB " .. itoa36(u2.id) .. " 1 SCHIFF")
+    process_orders()
+    assert_equal(2, u1.ship.number)
+    assert_equal(1, u2.ship.number)
+end
+
 function test_give_ship_merge()
     local r = region.create(1, 0, 'ocean')
     local f = faction.create("human")
diff --git a/src/give.c b/src/give.c
index 71c9bab7d..cc9f54987 100644
--- a/src/give.c
+++ b/src/give.c
@@ -328,7 +328,13 @@ message * give_ship(unit *u1, unit *u2, int n, order *ord)
     if (ship_cursed(u1->ship)) {
         return msg_error(u1, ord, 323);
     }
+    if (u1 != ship_owner(u1->ship)) {
+        return msg_error(u1, ord, 146);
+    }
     if (u2->ship) {
+        if (u2 != ship_owner(u2->ship)) {
+            return msg_error(u1, ord, 146);
+        }
         if (ship_cursed(u2->ship)) {
             return msg_error(u1, ord, 323);
         }