diff --git a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/ai/petra/defenseManager.js b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/ai/petra/defenseManager.js
index d6d893e4e7..ce40c0cd99 100644
--- a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/ai/petra/defenseManager.js
+++ b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/ai/petra/defenseManager.js
@@ -399,6 +399,15 @@ m.DefenseManager.prototype.checkEvents = function(gameState, events)
 		if (target.hasClass("Ship"))    // TODO integrate ships later   need to be sure it is accessible
 			continue;
 
+		// If inside a started attack plan, let the plan deal with this unit
+		let plan = target.getMetadata(PlayerID, "plan");
+		if (plan !== undefined && plan >= 0)
+		{
+			let attack = gameState.ai.HQ.attackManager.getPlan(plan);
+			if (attack && attack.state !== "unexecuted")
+				continue;
+		}
+
 		// Signal this attacker to our defense manager, except if we are in enemy territory
 		// TODO treat ship attack
 		if (attacker && attacker.position() && attacker.getMetadata(PlayerID, "PartOfArmy") === undefined &&
@@ -409,15 +418,6 @@ m.DefenseManager.prototype.checkEvents = function(gameState, events)
 				this.makeIntoArmy(gameState, attacker.id());
 		}
 
-		// If inside a started attack plan, let the plan deal with this unit
-		let plan = target.getMetadata(PlayerID, "plan");
-		if (plan !== undefined && plan >= 0)
-		{
-			let attack = gameState.ai.HQ.attackManager.getPlan(plan);
-			if (attack && attack.state !== "unexecuted")
-				continue;
-		}
-
 		if (target.getMetadata(PlayerID, "PartOfArmy") !== undefined)
 		{
 			let army = this.getArmy(target.getMetadata(PlayerID, "PartOfArmy"));