diff --git a/src/main/java/dan200/computercraft/shared/turtle/core/TurtlePlaceCommand.java b/src/main/java/dan200/computercraft/shared/turtle/core/TurtlePlaceCommand.java
index 26b1a47801..4e7cedd6fc 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dan200/computercraft/shared/turtle/core/TurtlePlaceCommand.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dan200/computercraft/shared/turtle/core/TurtlePlaceCommand.java
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ private static ItemStack deployOnBlock( @Nonnull ItemStack stack, ITurtleAccess
 
         // Do the deploying (put everything in the players inventory)
         boolean placed = false;
-
+        TileEntity existingTile = turtle.getWorld().getTileEntity( position );
 
         // See PlayerInteractionManager.processRightClickBlock
         PlayerInteractEvent.RightClickBlock event = ForgeHooks.onRightClickBlock( turtlePlayer, EnumHand.MAIN_HAND, position, side, new Vec3d( hitX, hitY, hitZ ) );
@@ -409,12 +409,11 @@ else if( actionResult == null )
             {
                 World world = turtle.getWorld();
                 TileEntity tile = world.getTileEntity( position );
-                if( tile == null )
+                if( tile == null || tile == existingTile )
                 {
-                    BlockPos newPosition = WorldUtil.moveCoords( position, side );
-                    tile = world.getTileEntity( newPosition );
+                    tile = world.getTileEntity( WorldUtil.moveCoords( position, side ) );
                 }
-                if( tile != null && tile instanceof TileEntitySign )
+                if( tile instanceof TileEntitySign )
                 {
                     TileEntitySign signTile = (TileEntitySign) tile;
                     String s = (String)extraArguments[0];