diff --git a/src/lib/commands/bomb.c b/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
index 5e4888cd..38487f50 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/bomb.c
@@ -480,11 +480,11 @@ ship_bomb(struct emp_qelem *list, struct sctstr *target)
 	    pr("%s at %s sunk!\n",
 	       prship(&ship),
 	       xyas(target->sct_x, target->sct_y, player->cnum));
+	putship(ship.shp_uid, &ship);
 	if (dam && (ship.shp_rflags & RET_INJURED))
 	    retreat_ship(&ship, ship.shp_own, 'i');
 	else if (ship.shp_rflags & RET_BOMBED)
 	    retreat_ship(&ship, ship.shp_own, 'b');
-	putship(ship.shp_uid, &ship);
 	collateral_damage(target->sct_x, target->sct_y, dam / 2);
     }
 out:
@@ -670,12 +670,12 @@ land_bomb(struct emp_qelem *list, struct sctstr *target)
 		cname(player->cnum), dam, prland(&land),
 		xyas(target->sct_x, target->sct_y, own));
 	landdamage(&land, dam);
+	putland(land.lnd_uid, &land);
 	if (dam && (land.lnd_rflags & RET_INJURED))
 	    retreat_land(&land, own, 'i');
 	else if (land.lnd_rflags & RET_BOMBED)
 	    retreat_land(&land, own, 'b');
 	nreport(player->cnum, N_UNIT_BOMB, own, 1);
-	putland(land.lnd_uid, &land);
 	collateral_damage(target->sct_x, target->sct_y, dam);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/laun.c b/src/lib/commands/laun.c
index 04900bac..21f4c244 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/laun.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/laun.c
@@ -276,9 +276,9 @@ launch_missile(struct plnstr *pp)
 	shipdamage(&target_ship, dam);
 	if (target_ship.shp_effic < SHIP_MINEFF)
 	    pr("%s sunk!\n", prship(&target_ship));
+	putship(target_ship.shp_uid, &target_ship);
 	if (dam && (target_ship.shp_rflags & RET_INJURED))
 	    retreat_ship(&target_ship, target_ship.shp_own, 'i');
-	putship(target_ship.shp_uid, &target_ship);
     }
     return RET_OK;
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/mfir.c b/src/lib/commands/mfir.c
index a7e02db9..788ad2eb 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/mfir.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/mfir.c
@@ -426,13 +426,13 @@ multifire(void)
 	    shipdamage(&vship, dam);
 	    if (vship.shp_effic < SHIP_MINEFF)
 		pr("%s sunk!\n", prsub(&vship));
+	    putship(vship.shp_uid, &vship);
 	    if (dam && (vship.shp_rflags & RET_INJURED))
 		retreat_ship(&vship, vict, 'i');
 	    else if (target == targ_sub && (vship.shp_rflags & RET_DCHRGED))
 		retreat_ship(&vship, vict, 'd');
 	    else if (totaldefdam == 0 && (vship.shp_rflags & RET_HELPLESS))
 		retreat_ship(&vship, vict, 'h');
-	    putship(vship.shp_uid, &vship);
 	    break;
 	}
 	switch (attgp->ef_type) {
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/torp.c b/src/lib/commands/torp.c
index d945d180..79ca3eb4 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/torp.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/torp.c
@@ -188,9 +188,9 @@ torp(void)
 	    shipdamage(&vship, dam);
 	    if (vship.shp_effic < SHIP_MINEFF)
 		pr("%s sunk!\n", prsub(&vship));
+	    putship(vship.shp_uid, &vship);
 	    if (vship.shp_rflags & RET_TORPED)
 		retreat_ship(&vship, vshipown, 't');
-	    putship(vship.shp_uid, &vship);
 	} else {
 	    pr("Missed\n");
 	    if (vshipown != 0)