diff --git a/containments/desktop/plugins/folder/positioner.cpp b/containments/desktop/plugins/folder/positioner.cpp
--- a/containments/desktop/plugins/folder/positioner.cpp
+++ b/containments/desktop/plugins/folder/positioner.cpp
@@ -403,8 +403,10 @@
         }
 
         if (!fromIndices.contains(to) && !isBlank(to)) {
-            // find the next blank space
-            while (!isBlank(to) &&  from != to) {
+            /* find the next blank space
+             * we won't be happy if we're moving two icons to the same place
+             */
+            while ((!isBlank(to) && from != to) || toIndices.contains(to)) {
                 to++;
             }
         }