diff --git a/src/views/users.js b/src/views/users.js
index f71fb44f9..b7b0c9b6e 100644
--- a/src/views/users.js
+++ b/src/views/users.js
@@ -35,27 +35,33 @@ angular.module('Application').controller('UsersController', ['$scope', '$locatio
             $scope.userremove.error.password = null;
             $scope.userremove.busy = true;
 
-            Client.removeUser($scope.userremove.userInfo.id, $scope.userremove.password, function (error) {
-                $scope.userremove.busy = false;
+            // transfer to self for now. not transferred to owner because this user probably wants to "manage" it immediately
+            // FIXME: this may awkwardly transfer resources but fail with incorrect password
+            Client.transferOwnership($scope.userremove.userInfo.id, $scope.userInfo.id, function (error) {
+                if (error) return console.error('Unable to transfer resources.', error);
 
-                if (error && error.statusCode === 403) {
-                    $scope.userremove.error.password = 'Wrong password';
+                Client.removeUser($scope.userremove.userInfo.id, $scope.userremove.password, function (error) {
+                    $scope.userremove.busy = false;
+
+                    if (error && error.statusCode === 403) {
+                        $scope.userremove.error.password = 'Wrong password';
+                        $scope.userremove.password = '';
+                        $scope.userremove_form.password.$setPristine();
+                        $('#inputUserRemovePassword').focus();
+                        return;
+                    }
+                    if (error) return console.error('Unable to delete user.', error);
+
+                    $scope.userremove.userInfo = {};
                     $scope.userremove.password = '';
-                    $scope.userremove_form.password.$setPristine();
-                    $('#inputUserRemovePassword').focus();
-                    return;
-                }
-                if (error) return console.error('Unable to delete user.', error);
 
-                $scope.userremove.userInfo = {};
-                $scope.userremove.password = '';
+                    $scope.userremove_form.$setPristine();
+                    $scope.userremove_form.$setUntouched();
 
-                $scope.userremove_form.$setPristine();
-                $scope.userremove_form.$setUntouched();
+                    refresh();
 
-                refresh();
-
-                $('#userRemoveModal').modal('hide');
+                    $('#userRemoveModal').modal('hide');
+                });
             });
         }
     };