diff --git a/src/lib/subs/aircombat.c b/src/lib/subs/aircombat.c
index 3b87878f..11616ee9 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/aircombat.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/aircombat.c
@@ -404,13 +404,14 @@ sam_intercept(struct emp_qelem *att_list, struct emp_qelem *def_list,
 		free(dqp);
 		continue;
 	    }
-	    if (mission_pln_equip(dplp, 0, P_F, 0) < 0) {
+	    if (CANT_HAPPEN(dplp->plane.pln_flags & PLN_LAUNCHED)
+		|| mission_pln_equip(dplp, 0, P_F, 0) < 0) {
 		emp_remque(dqp);
 		free(dqp);
 		continue;
 	    }
-	    CANT_HAPPEN(dplp->plane.pln_flags & PLN_LAUNCHED);
 	    dplp->plane.pln_flags |= PLN_LAUNCHED;
+	    putplane(dplp->plane.pln_uid, &dplp->plane);
 	    if (first) {
 		first = 0;
 		PR(plane_owner, "%s launches SAMs!\n", cname(def_own));
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/mission.c b/src/lib/subs/mission.c
index 3f812f2f..e038c12c 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/mission.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/mission.c
@@ -969,9 +969,9 @@ mission_pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, coord x, coord y, int dist,
 	    mission_flags &= ~P_MINE;
 	}
 
-	CANT_HAPPEN(pp->pln_flags & PLN_LAUNCHED);
 	pp->pln_flags |= PLN_LAUNCHED;
 	pp->pln_mobil -= pln_mobcost(dist, pp, flags);
+	putplane(pp->pln_uid, pp);
     }
     return mission_flags;
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c b/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
index f5d42a22..3345b2a5 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ msl_hit(struct plnstr *pp, int hardtarget, int type, int news_item,
 	return 0;
     }
 
+    CANT_HAPPEN(pp->pln_flags & PLN_LAUNCHED);
+    pp->pln_flags |= PLN_LAUNCHED;
+    putplane(pp->pln_uid, pp);
     mpr(pp->pln_own, "\tSHWOOOOOSH!  Missile launched!\n");
 
     if (pp->pln_nuketype != -1)
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
index e6f9768f..d2b811f5 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
@@ -587,7 +587,6 @@ pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, int dist, char mission, struct ichrstr *ip,
 	    mission_flags &= ~P_MINE;
 	    /* FIXME no effect */
 	}
-	CANT_HAPPEN(pp->pln_flags & PLN_LAUNCHED);
 	pp->pln_flags |= PLN_LAUNCHED;
 	pp->pln_mobil -= pln_mobcost(dist, pp, flags);
 	putplane(pp->pln_uid, pp);