diff --git a/osc/commandline.py b/osc/commandline.py
index 7af21154..fe261558 100644
--- a/osc/commandline.py
+++ b/osc/commandline.py
@@ -6929,27 +6929,28 @@ Please submit there instead, or use --nodevelproject to force direct submission.
                            requestactionsxml += self._set_bugowner(args,opts)
 
             else:
-                for role in roles:
-                    try:
-                        setBugowner(apiurl, prj, pac, opts.delete, role)
-                    except HTTPError as e:
-                        if e.code == 403:
-                            print("No write permission in" + result.get('project'), end=' ')
-                            if result.get('package'):
-                                print("/", result.get('package'), end=' ')
-                            print()
-                            repl = raw_input('\nCreating a request instead? (y/n) ')
-                            if repl.lower() == 'y':
-                                opts.set_bugowner_request = opts.set_bugowner
-                                opts.set_bugowner = None
-                                break
+                if opts.set_bugowner:
+                    for role in roles:
+                        try:
+                            setBugowner(apiurl, prj, pac, opts.delete, role)
+                        except HTTPError as e:
+                            if e.code == 403:
+                                print("No write permission in" + result.get('project'), end=' ')
+                                if result.get('package'):
+                                    print("/", result.get('package'), end=' ')
+                                print()
+                                repl = raw_input('\nCreating a request instead? (y/n) ')
+                                if repl.lower() == 'y':
+                                    opts.set_bugowner_request = opts.set_bugowner
+                                    opts.set_bugowner = None
+                                    break
 
-                    if opts.set_bugowner_request:
-                       for role in roles:
-                           args = [bugowner, prj]
-                           if pac:
-                               args = args + [pac]
-                           requestactionsxml += self._set_bugowner(args,opts)
+                if opts.set_bugowner_request:
+                   for role in roles:
+                       args = [bugowner, prj]
+                       if pac:
+                           args = args + [pac]
+                       requestactionsxml += self._set_bugowner(args,opts)
 
             if requestactionsxml != "":
                 message = edit_message()