diff --git a/game.cpp b/game.cpp
index 56e5daf29d2f7..bd9a7ad79cb57 100644
--- a/game.cpp
+++ b/game.cpp
@@ -6785,7 +6785,7 @@ void game::plmove(int x, int y)
   if (u.underwater)
    u.underwater = false;
   dpart = veh ? veh->part_with_feature (vpart, vpf_seat) : -1;
-  bool can_board = dpart >= 0 &&
+  bool can_board = dpart >= 0 && veh->parts[dpart].items.size() == 0 &&
       !veh->parts[dpart].has_flag(vehicle_part::passenger_flag);
 /*  if (veh.type != veh_null)
       add_msg ("vp=%d dp=%d can=%c", vpart, dpart, can_board? 'y' : 'n',);*/