diff --git a/gittip/models/__init__.py b/gittip/models/__init__.py
index 31a241284c..e2714abc28 100644
--- a/gittip/models/__init__.py
+++ b/gittip/models/__init__.py
@@ -108,29 +108,7 @@ def _check_orphans(self):
               where not exists (select * from elsewhere where elsewhere.participant=username)
                 and not exists (select * from absorptions where archived_as=username)
         """)
-        known = set((
-            "4c46cc22afdd",
-            "82b0d81fe9e8",
-            "6b6527ac6c02",
-            "cbde8c31c11c",
-            "bcfc65158eaf",
-            "31d54a0c19ae",
-            "afbddadaac3c",
-            "a78c4e42bb93",
-            "42eb93b3ab89",
-            "b1bc5e47fe8e",
-            "3ac515cc8da6",
-            "14a79340c40d",
-            "14d60c6884e7",
-            "0c783dee50ed",
-            "e2020536ef6d",
-            "60a5099d49c7",
-            "64f4f959b322",
-            "0bdf90d51786",
-            "880ac6873f7f"
-        ))
-        real = set(orphans) - known
-        assert len(real) == 0, "missing elsewheres: {}".format(list(real))
+        assert len(orphans) == 0, "missing elsewheres: {}".format(list(orphans))
 
     def _check_orphans_no_tips(self):
         """
diff --git a/gittip/models/_mixin_elsewhere.py b/gittip/models/_mixin_elsewhere.py
index a2d66109d3..51c19d6aa5 100644
--- a/gittip/models/_mixin_elsewhere.py
+++ b/gittip/models/_mixin_elsewhere.py
@@ -269,6 +269,10 @@ def take_over(self, account_elsewhere, have_confirmation=False):
 
             other_username = rec.participant
 
+            if self.username == other_username:
+                # this is a no op - trying to take over itself
+                return
+
 
             # Make sure we have user confirmation if needed.
             # ==============================================