diff --git a/src/restore.c b/src/restore.c
index 69d4660c5..14612e08e 100644
--- a/src/restore.c
+++ b/src/restore.c
@@ -672,13 +672,6 @@ unsigned int *stuckid, *steedid;
         if (otmp->owornmask)
             setworn(otmp, otmp->owornmask);
 
-    if ((uball && !uchain) || (uchain && !uball)) {
-        impossible("restgamestate: lost ball & chain");
-        /* poor man's unpunish() */
-        setworn((struct obj *) 0, W_CHAIN);
-        setworn((struct obj *) 0, W_BALL);
-    }
-
     /* reset weapon so that player will get a reminder about "bashing"
        during next fight when bare-handed or wielding an unconventional
        item; for pick-axe, we aren't able to distinguish between having
@@ -921,6 +914,13 @@ register int fd;
         if (otmp->owornmask)
             setworn(otmp, otmp->owornmask);
 
+    if ((uball && !uchain) || (uchain && !uball)) {
+        impossible("restgamestate: lost ball & chain");
+        /* poor man's unpunish() */
+        setworn((struct obj *) 0, W_CHAIN);
+        setworn((struct obj *) 0, W_BALL);
+    }
+
     /* in_use processing must be after:
      *    + The inventory has been read so that freeinv() works.
      *    + The current level has been restored so billing information