diff --git a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js
index 1159ebc0d9..86e363a551 100644
--- a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js
+++ b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ Attack.prototype.RepeatRangeCheck = function(type) {
  *
  * @return {boolean} - Whether we started attacking.
  */
-Attack.prototype.StartAttacking = function(target, type, callerIID)
+Attack.prototype.StartAttacking = function(target, type, callerIID, force)
 {
 	if (this.target)
 		this.StopAttacking();
@@ -525,6 +525,7 @@ Attack.prototype.StartAttacking = function(target, type, callerIID)
 	this.resyncAnimation = prepare != timings.prepare;
 	this.target = target;
 	this.callerIID = callerIID;
+	this.force = force;
 	this.timer = cmpTimer.SetInterval(this.entity, IID_Attack, "Attack", prepare, timings.repeat, type);
 	this.checkTimer = cmpTimer.SetInterval(this.entity, IID_Attack, "RepeatRangeCheck", checkStart, repeatPerCheck, type);
 	return true;
@@ -600,6 +601,13 @@ Attack.prototype.Attack = function(type, lateness)
 		return;
 	}
 
+	// If a low preference unit is attacked without player direction, check for higher preference.
+	if (this.GetPreference(this.target) === undefined && !this.force)
+	{
+		this.StopAttacking("TargetInvalidated");
+		return;
+	}
+
 	if (this.resyncAnimation)
 	{
 		const cmpVisual = Engine.QueryInterface(this.entity, IID_Visual);
diff --git a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/UnitAI.js b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/UnitAI.js
index c0c61a75cc..d6bd180f9d 100644
--- a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/UnitAI.js
+++ b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/UnitAI.js
@@ -2198,7 +2198,7 @@ UnitAI.prototype.UnitFsmSpec = {
 					if (this.order.data.hunting && this.orderQueue.length > 1 && this.orderQueue[1].type === "Gather")
 						this.RememberTargetPosition(this.orderQueue[1].data);
 
-					if (!cmpAttack.StartAttacking(this.order.data.target, this.order.data.attackType, IID_UnitAI))
+					if (!cmpAttack.StartAttacking(this.order.data.target, this.order.data.attackType, IID_UnitAI, this.order.data.force))
 					{
 						this.ProcessMessage("TargetInvalidated");
 						return true;
@@ -2250,7 +2250,7 @@ UnitAI.prototype.UnitFsmSpec = {
 					if (this.order.data.attackType == "Capture" && (this.GetStance().targetAttackersAlways || !this.order.data.force) &&
 						this.order.data.target != msg.data.attacker && this.GetBestAttackAgainst(msg.data.attacker, true) != "Capture")
 						this.RespondToTargetedEntities([msg.data.attacker]);
-				},
+				}
 			},
 
 			"FINDINGNEWTARGET": {
diff --git a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_champion_elephant_melee.xml b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_champion_elephant_melee.xml
index 119594143a..2081599e49 100644
--- a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_champion_elephant_melee.xml
+++ b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_champion_elephant_melee.xml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
       <MaxRange>5</MaxRange>
       <PrepareTime>750</PrepareTime>
       <RepeatTime>1500</RepeatTime>
-      <PreferredClasses datatype="tokens">!Ship</PreferredClasses>
+      <PreferredClasses datatype="tokens">Unit+!Ship</PreferredClasses>
     </Melee>
   </Attack>
   <Identity>