diff --git a/src/lib/commands/tend.c b/src/lib/commands/tend.c
index 1679ca94..516e4861 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/tend.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/tend.c
@@ -227,6 +227,10 @@ tend_comm_to(struct shpstr *from, struct ichrstr *ip, int amt,
     int can_take = to_max - to->shp_item[ip->i_uid];
     int transfer;
 
+    if (!to_max) {
+	pr("%s cannot hold any %s\n", prship(to), ip->i_name);
+	return 0;
+    }
     if (ip->i_uid == I_CIVIL && from->shp_own != to->shp_own) {
 	pr("%s civilians refuse to board %s!\n",
 	   from->shp_own == player->cnum ? "Your" : "Foreign",
diff --git a/tests/load-tend/03-tend-1 b/tests/load-tend/03-tend-1
index 86bc2fb9..9a61b5db 100644
--- a/tests/load-tend/03-tend-1
+++ b/tests/load-tend/03-tend-1
@@ -85,7 +85,6 @@ tend h 151 -1 150/152
 || tend something the target can't hold
 tend u 150 1 170/171
 tend u 170/171 -1 150
-| odd: only the second command reports "cannot hold"
 |
 || tend more than the tender has
 | #150 gives 7s, #152 gives 9s
diff --git a/tests/load-tend/journal.log b/tests/load-tend/journal.log
index fd61cec5..994002fb 100644
--- a/tests/load-tend/journal.log
+++ b/tests/load-tend/journal.log
@@ -2217,6 +2217,8 @@
     Play#1 output Play#1 6 0 403
     Play#1 input tend u 150 1 170/171
     Play#1 command tend
+    Play#1 output Play#1 1 frg  frigate (#170) cannot hold any uncompensated workers
+    Play#1 output Play#1 1 sb   submarine (#171) cannot hold any uncompensated workers
     Play#1 output Play#1 1 0 total uncompensated workers transferred off of cs   cargo ship (#150)
     Play#1 output Play#1 6 0 402
     Play#1 input tend u 170/171 -1 150