diff --git a/src/ubik/remote.c b/src/ubik/remote.c
index 6dabe61c00..11bf375faa 100644
--- a/src/ubik/remote.c
+++ b/src/ubik/remote.c
@@ -71,6 +71,10 @@ SDISK_Begin(struct rx_call *rxcall, struct ubik_tid *atid)
 	return code;
     }
     DBHOLD(ubik_dbase);
+    if (urecovery_AllBetter(ubik_dbase, 0) == 0) {
+	code = UNOQUORUM;
+	goto out;
+    }
     urecovery_CheckTid(atid);
     if (ubik_currentTrans) {
 	/* If the thread is not waiting for lock - ok to end it */
@@ -89,6 +93,7 @@ SDISK_Begin(struct rx_call *rxcall, struct ubik_tid *atid)
 	ubik_currentTrans->tid.epoch = atid->epoch;
 	ubik_currentTrans->tid.counter = atid->counter;
     }
+  out:
     DBRELE(ubik_dbase);
     return code;
 }