diff --git a/info/deliver.t b/info/deliver.t
index dc18adcb..5b2c348f 100644
--- a/info/deliver.t
+++ b/info/deliver.t
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ direction that a sector delivers to, then put a '+' before the number
 Note that delivery thresholds are stored as multiples of 8.  If you
 specify a threshold that is not a multiple of 8, it will be rounded down.
 .s1
+Delivery will not ship out the last civilian or the last military if
+there are no civilians, regardless of thresholds.
+.s1
 The direction must be specified as one of the six direction characters,
 (usually `y' `u' `j' `n' `b' or `g'), the \*Qno-direction\*U character,
 (usually `h').  If no direction is specified, then the direction will
diff --git a/src/lib/update/deliver.c b/src/lib/update/deliver.c
index c55cd0be..cace76eb 100644
--- a/src/lib/update/deliver.c
+++ b/src/lib/update/deliver.c
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
  *  deliver.c: Deliver commodities to neighboring sector
  *
  *  Known contributors to this file:
- *
+ *     Markus Armbruster, 2004-2016
  */
 
 #include <config.h>
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ deliver(struct sctstr *from, struct ichrstr *ip, int dir,
 	    return 0;
 	}
     }
+    /* make sure not to abandon the sector */
+    if (vtype == I_CIVIL || (vtype == I_MILIT && !to->sct_item[I_CIVIL]))
+	amt_moved--;
     /*
      * disallow delivery into prohibited sectors.
      * calculate unit movement cost; decrease amount if