diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java
index 6598a04bb..1f93ab9d4 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ public abstract class Animation extends AbstractMedia
     // documentation inherited
     public void setLocation (int x, int y)
     {
+        if (_bounds.x == x && _bounds.y == y) {
+            return; // no-op
+        }
+
         // start with our current bounds
         Rectangle dirty = new Rectangle(_bounds);
 
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java
index 148c2fd1d..d237daf13 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/Sprite.java
@@ -150,6 +150,10 @@ public abstract class Sprite extends AbstractMedia
     // documentation inherited
     public void setLocation (int x, int y)
     {
+        if (x == _ox && y == _oy) {
+            return; // no-op
+        }
+
         // start with our current bounds
         Rectangle dirty = new Rectangle(_bounds);