diff --git a/src/monmove.c b/src/monmove.c
index 65433ed71..26e848c8e 100644
--- a/src/monmove.c
+++ b/src/monmove.c
@@ -503,8 +503,12 @@ register struct monst *mtmp;
 
     /* Monsters that want to acquire things */
     /* may teleport, so do it before inrange is set */
-    if (is_covetous(mdat))
+    if (is_covetous(mdat)) {
         (void) tactics(mtmp);
+        /* tactics -> mnexto -> deal_with_overcrowding */
+        if (mtmp->mstate)
+            return 0;
+    }
 
     /* check distance and scariness of attacks */
     distfleeck(mtmp, &inrange, &nearby, &scared);