diff --git a/lib/WebGUI/AssetClipboard.pm b/lib/WebGUI/AssetClipboard.pm
index dcfc08c7b..55231f3b1 100644
--- a/lib/WebGUI/AssetClipboard.pm
+++ b/lib/WebGUI/AssetClipboard.pm
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@ sub paste {
 	my $assetId = shift;
 	my $pastedAsset = WebGUI::Asset->newByDynamicClass($self->session,$assetId);
 	return 0 unless ($self->get("state") eq "published");
+	# Don't allow a shortcut to create an endless loop
+	return 0 if ($pastedAsset->get("className") eq "WebGUI::Asset::Shortcut" && $pastedAsset->get("shortcutToAssetId") eq $self->getId);
 	if ($self->getId eq $pastedAsset->get("parentId") || $pastedAsset->setParent($self)) {
-		# Don't allow a shortcut to create an endless loop
-		return 0 if ($pastedAsset->get("className") eq "WebGUI::Asset::Shortcut" && $pastedAsset->get("shortcutToAssetId") eq $self->getId);
 		$pastedAsset->publish(['clipboard','clipboard-limbo']); # Paste only clipboard items
 		$pastedAsset->updateHistory("pasted to parent ".$self->getId);
 		return 1;