diff --git a/tests/t1700-depri.sh b/tests/t1700-depri.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..24bad09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/t1700-depri.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+test_description='basic depriority functionality
+'
+. ./test-lib.sh
+
+test_todo_session 'depriority usage' <<EOF
+>>> todo.sh depri B B
+usage: todo.sh depri ITEM#
+=== 1
+EOF
+
+test_todo_session 'depriority nonexistant item' <<EOF
+>>> todo.sh depri 42
+42: No such todo.
+=== 1
+EOF
+
+cat > todo.txt <<EOF
+(B) smell the uppercase Roses +flowers @outside
+(A) notice the sunflowers
+stop
+EOF
+test_todo_session 'basic depriority' <<EOF
+>>> todo.sh -p list
+2 (A) notice the sunflowers
+1 (B) smell the uppercase Roses +flowers @outside
+3 stop
+--
+TODO: 3 of 3 tasks shown
+
+>>> todo.sh depri 1
+1: smell the uppercase Roses +flowers @outside
+TODO: 1 deprioritized.
+
+>>> todo.sh -p list
+2 (A) notice the sunflowers
+1 smell the uppercase Roses +flowers @outside
+3 stop
+--
+TODO: 3 of 3 tasks shown
+EOF
+
+test_done
diff --git a/todo.sh b/todo.sh
index 3acdfca..2894b40 100755
--- a/todo.sh
+++ b/todo.sh
@@ -745,9 +745,9 @@ case $action in
     item=$2
     errmsg="usage: $TODO_SH depri ITEM#"
 
+    [[ "$item" = +([0-9]) ]] || die "$errmsg"
     todo=$(sed "$item!d" "$TODO_FILE")
     [ -z "$todo" ] && die "$item: No such todo."
-    [[ "$item" = +([0-9]) ]] || die "$errmsg"
 
     sed -e $item"s/^(.) //" "$TODO_FILE" > /dev/null 2>&1