diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsClient.java b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsClient.java
index 2814803c0..adf43934f 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsClient.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsClient.java
@@ -203,14 +203,14 @@ public class PresentsClient
                 Object[] args = new Object[] { new Integer(clobj.getOid()) };
                 _clobj.postMessage(ClientObject.CLOBJ_CHANGED, args);
 
+                // call down to any derived classes
+                clientObjectWillChange(_clobj, clobj);
+
                 // let the caller know that we've got some new business
                 if (ucl != null) {
                     ucl.changeReported(clobj);
                 }
 
-                // call down to any derived classes
-                clientObjectWillChange(_clobj, clobj);
-
                 // release our old client object; this will destroy it
                 _cmgr.releaseClientObject(_username);