diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java
index 925de377c..0ad89588a 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: Sprite.java,v 1.57 2003/01/13 23:53:34 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: Sprite.java,v 1.58 2003/01/17 03:44:20 mdb Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.media.sprite;
 
@@ -215,8 +215,18 @@ public abstract class Sprite extends AbstractMedia
      */
     public void move (Path path)
     {
+        // if we already have a path, complain like the dickens
+        if (_path != null) {
+            Log.warning("Refusing to set path; we've already got one " +
+                        "[sprite=" + this + ", cpath=" + _path +
+                        ", npath=" + path + "].");
+            Thread.dumpStack();
+            return;
+        }
+
         // save off this path
         _path = path;
+
         // we'll initialize it on our next tick thanks to a zero path stamp
         _pathStamp = 0;
     }