diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java
index 09c746880..e75fd1a45 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java
@@ -203,8 +203,7 @@ public class Table
     {
         for (int i = 0; i < occupants.length; i++) {
             if (username.equals(occupants[i])) {
-                occupants[i] = null;
-                bodyOids[i] = 0;
+                clearOccupantPos(i);
                 return true;
             }
         }
@@ -223,14 +222,23 @@ public class Table
     {
         for (int i = 0; i < bodyOids.length; i++) {
             if (bodyOid == bodyOids[i]) {
-                occupants[i] = null;
-                bodyOids[i] = 0;
+                clearOccupantPos(i);
                 return true;
             }
         }
         return false;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Internal method used for clearing an occupant once we've located
+     * the right position.
+     */
+    protected void clearOccupantPos (int position)
+    {
+        occupants[position] = null;
+        bodyOids[position] = 0;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns true if this table has a sufficient number of occupants
      * that the game can be started.