diff --git a/files/routes/groups.py b/files/routes/groups.py
index b832235ce..b64f52f2a 100644
--- a/files/routes/groups.py
+++ b/files/routes/groups.py
@@ -297,6 +297,13 @@ def group_usurp(v, group_name):
 	if is_active:
 		abort(403, f"@{group.owner.username} has reviewed a membership application in the past month, so you can't usurp them!")
 
+	membership_applications = g.db.query(GroupMembership.user_id).filter_by(
+		group_name=group.name,
+		approved_utc=None,
+	).first()
+	if not membership_applications:
+		abort(403, f"There is currently no membership applications to !{group.name}, so usurping is not necessary!")
+
 	send_repeatable_notification(group.owner_id, f"@{v.username} has usurped control of !{group.name} from you. This was possible because you spent more than a month not reviewing membership applications. Be active next time sweaty :!marseycheeky:")
 
 	group.owner_id = v.id