diff --git a/src/lib/commands/tend.c b/src/lib/commands/tend.c
index 7478995b..fe83fae0 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/tend.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/tend.c
@@ -172,6 +172,11 @@ tend(void)
 		target.shp_item[ip->i_uid] = ontarget + transfer;
 		ontender -= transfer;
 		total += transfer;
+		if (transfer && target.shp_own != player->cnum) {
+		    wu(0, target.shp_own, "%s tended %d %s to %s\n",
+		       cname(player->cnum), total, ip->i_name,
+		       prship(&target));
+		}
 	    }
 	    expose_ship(&tender, &target);
 	    putship(target.shp_uid, &target);
@@ -183,10 +188,6 @@ tend(void)
 	pr("%d total %s transferred %s %s\n",
 	   total, ip->i_name, (amt > 0) ? "off of" : "to",
 	   prship(&tender));
-	if (target.shp_own != player->cnum) {
-	    wu(0, target.shp_own, "%s tended %d %s to %s\n",
-	       cname(player->cnum), total, ip->i_name, prship(&target));
-	}
 	tender.shp_item[ip->i_uid] = ontender;
 	tender.shp_mission = 0;
 	putship(tender.shp_uid, &tender);