diff --git a/include/items.php b/include/items.php
index 3b09dfa688..e5b9dbffa6 100755
--- a/include/items.php
+++ b/include/items.php
@@ -3699,7 +3699,7 @@ function drop_item($id,$interactive = true) {
 
 	// check if logged in user is either the author or owner of this item
 
-	if((local_user() == $item['uid']) || (remote_user() == $item['contact-id'])) {
+	if((local_user() == $item['uid']) || (remote_user() == $item['contact-id']) || (! $interactive)) {
 
 		// delete the item