diff --git a/src/give.c b/src/give.c
index 7a17b2da3..f64bf0a51 100644
--- a/src/give.c
+++ b/src/give.c
@@ -750,6 +750,7 @@ void give_cmd(unit * u, order * ord)
                 msg_feedback(u, ord, "race_noregroup", "race", u_race(u)));
             return;
         }
+        n = _min(u->number, n);
         msg = u2 ? give_men(n, u, u2, ord) : disband_men(n, u, ord);
         if (msg) {
             ADDMSG(&u->faction->msgs, msg);