diff --git a/src/lib/commands/drop.c b/src/lib/commands/drop.c
index f91567cb..08d505a3 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/drop.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/drop.c
@@ -99,14 +99,9 @@ drop(void)
 
     if (target.sct_own == player->cnum
 	|| getrel(getnatp(target.sct_own), player->cnum) == ALLIED) {
-	if (ip->i_vtype == V_CIVIL) {
-	    if (target.sct_own != player->cnum) {
-		pr("Your civilians refuse to emigrate!\n");
-		return RET_FAIL;
-	    } else if (target.sct_own != target.sct_oldown) {
-		pr("Can't drop civilians into occupied sectors.\n");
-		return RET_FAIL;
-	    }
+	if (ip->i_vtype == V_CIVIL && target.sct_own != target.sct_oldown) {
+	    pr("Can't drop civilians into occupied sectors.\n");
+	    return RET_FAIL;
 	}
     } else {
 	/* into the unknown... */
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/fly.c b/src/lib/commands/fly.c
index 706a31bd..a485817a 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/fly.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/fly.c
@@ -113,14 +113,9 @@ fly(void)
 	dst_type = EF_SHIP;
     }
 
-    if (ip && ip->i_vtype == V_CIVIL) {
-	if (target.sct_own != player->cnum) {
-	    pr("Your civilians refuse to emigrate!\n");
-	    return RET_FAIL;
-	} else if (target.sct_own != target.sct_oldown) {
-	    pr("Can't drop civilians into occupied sectors.\n");
-	    return RET_FAIL;
-	}
+    if (ip && ip->i_vtype == V_CIVIL && target.sct_own != target.sct_oldown) {
+	pr("Can't fly civilians into occupied sectors.\n");
+	return RET_FAIL;
     }
 
     ap_to_target = strlen(flightpath);