diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMedia.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMedia.java
index 18551d423..f7144f771 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMedia.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMedia.java
@@ -174,16 +174,19 @@ public abstract class AbstractMedia
      * (least to greatest). Those with the same render order value will be
      * rendered in arbitrary order.
      *
-     * <p> This must be set <em>before</em> the media is added to the
-     * appropriate manager and must not change while the manager is
-     * managing it. If you wish to change the render order, remove the
-     * media from the manager, change the order and add it back again.
+     * <p>This method may not be called during a tick.
      *
      * @see #HUD_LAYER
      */
     public void setRenderOrder (int renderOrder)
     {
-        _renderOrder = renderOrder;
+        if (_renderOrder != renderOrder) {
+            _renderOrder = renderOrder;
+            if (_mgr != null) {
+                _mgr.renderOrderDidChange(this);
+                invalidate();
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMediaManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMediaManager.java
index 497978e04..06978e4a5 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMediaManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/AbstractMediaManager.java
@@ -163,6 +163,20 @@ public abstract class AbstractMediaManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Called by a {@link AbstractMedia} when its render order has changed.
+     */
+    public void renderOrderDidChange (AbstractMedia media)
+    {
+        if (_tickStamp > 0) {
+            Log.warning("Egads! Render order changed during a tick.");
+            Thread.dumpStack();
+        }
+        
+        _media.remove(media);
+        _media.insertSorted(media, RENDER_ORDER);
+    }
+    
     /**
      * Calls {@link AbstractMedia#tick} on all media to give them a chance
      * to move about, change their look, generate dirty regions, and so
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/card/client/CardPanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/card/client/CardPanel.java
index 155100c38..200725be4 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/card/client/CardPanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/card/client/CardPanel.java
@@ -684,9 +684,7 @@ public abstract class CardPanel extends VirtualMediaPanel
                 continue;
             }
             if (updateLayers) {
-                removeSprite(cs);
                 cs.setRenderOrder(i);
-                addSprite(cs);
             }
             LinePath adjust = new LinePath(new Point(getHandX(size, i),
                 _handLocation.y), adjustDuration);
@@ -805,9 +803,7 @@ public abstract class CardPanel extends VirtualMediaPanel
         int size = _boardSprites.size(), adjustment = layer - highest;
         for (int i = 0; i < size; i++) {
             CardSprite cs = (CardSprite)_boardSprites.get(i);
-            removeSprite(cs);
             cs.setRenderOrder(cs.getRenderOrder() + adjustment);
-            addSprite(cs);
         }
     }