diff --git a/pcmove.cpp b/pcmove.cpp
index 5d4f7df9..91ffb443 100644
--- a/pcmove.cpp
+++ b/pcmove.cpp
@@ -496,9 +496,9 @@ bool switch_lhu_in(eLand l) {
 void apply_chaos() {
   cell *ca = (cwt+1).cpeek();
   cell *cb = (cwt-1).cpeek();
+  if(!items[itOrbChaos] || chaos_forbidden(ca) || chaos_forbidden(cb)) return;
   if(ca && is_paired(ca->monst)) killMonster(ca, moPlayer);
   if(cb && is_paired(cb->monst)) killMonster(cb, moPlayer);
-  if(!items[itOrbChaos] || chaos_forbidden(ca) || chaos_forbidden(cb)) return;
   changes.ccell(ca);
   changes.ccell(cb);
   gcell coa = *ca;