diff --git a/src/lib/subs/retreat.c b/src/lib/subs/retreat.c
index 5a90d29c..2db7c901 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/retreat.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/retreat.c
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ retreat_ship1(struct shpstr *sp, char code, int orig)
 
 	getsect(newx, newy, &sect);
 	if (shp_check_nav(&sect, sp) != CN_NAVIGABLE ||
-	    (sect.sct_own && !player->owner &&
+	    (sect.sct_own && sect.sct_own != sp->shp_own &&
 	     getrel(getnatp(sect.sct_own), sp->shp_own) < FRIENDLY)) {
 	    wu(0, sp->shp_own, "%s %s,\nbut could not retreat to %s!\n",
 	       prship(sp), conditions[findcondition(code)].desc[orig],