diff --git a/iNCIPit.cgi b/iNCIPit.cgi
index a50a7c5..cecd146 100644
--- a/iNCIPit.cgi
+++ b/iNCIPit.cgi
@@ -512,7 +512,8 @@ sub item_cancelled {
         $barcode .= $faidValue;
         my $copy = copy_from_barcode($barcode);
         fail( $copy->{textcode} . " $barcode" ) unless ( blessed $copy);
-        my $r = delete_copy($copy);
+        my $r = cancel_hold($barcode);
+        $r = delete_copy($copy);
     } else {
         # we are the item agency
         unless ( $conf->{behavior}->{no_item_agency_holds} =~ m/^y/i ) {