diff --git a/files/routes/groups.py b/files/routes/groups.py
index b64f52f2a..00bc4c787 100644
--- a/files/routes/groups.py
+++ b/files/routes/groups.py
@@ -294,15 +294,14 @@ def group_usurp(v, group_name):
 		Comment.created_utc > one_month_ago,
 	).first()
 
-	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,
+	month_old_applications = g.db.query(GroupMembership.user_id).filter_by(
+		GroupMembership.group_name == group.name,
+		GroupMembership.approved_utc == None,
+		GroupMembership.created_utc < one_month_ago,
 	).first()
-	if not membership_applications:
-		abort(403, f"There is currently no membership applications to !{group.name}, so usurping is not necessary!")
+
+	if is_active or not month_old_applications:
+		abort(403, f"@{group.owner.username} has reviewed a membership application in the past month, so you can't usurp them!")
 
 	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:")