diff --git a/src/gamecode/laws.c b/src/gamecode/laws.c
index da86af7b2..8df1a71bc 100644
--- a/src/gamecode/laws.c
+++ b/src/gamecode/laws.c
@@ -2989,14 +2989,14 @@ static int renumber_cmd(unit * u, order * ord)
       cmistake(u, ord, 144, MSG_EVENT);
       break;
     }
-    if (u->ship->coast != NODIRECTION) {
-      cmistake(u, ord, 116, MSG_EVENT);
-      break;
-    }
     if (ship_owner(u->ship)!=u) {
       cmistake(u, ord, 146, MSG_EVENT);
       break;
     }
+    if (u->ship->coast != NODIRECTION) {
+      cmistake(u, ord, 116, MSG_EVENT);
+      break;
+    }
     s = getstrtoken();
     if (s == NULL || *s == 0) {
       i = newcontainerid();