diff --git a/lib/channel/chat.js b/lib/channel/chat.js
index de63b83c..1e23debd 100644
--- a/lib/channel/chat.js
+++ b/lib/channel/chat.js
@@ -482,7 +482,8 @@ ChatModule.prototype.handleCmdMute = function (user, msg, meta) {
         return;
     }
 
-    if (target.account.effectiveRank >= user.account.effectiveRank) {
+    if (target.account.effectiveRank >= user.account.effectiveRank
+        || target.account.globalRank >= user.account.globalRank) {
         user.socket.emit("errorMsg", {
             msg: "/mute failed - " + target.getName() + " has equal or higher rank " +
                  "than you."
@@ -531,7 +532,8 @@ ChatModule.prototype.handleCmdSMute = function (user, msg, meta) {
         return;
     }
 
-    if (target.account.effectiveRank >= user.account.effectiveRank) {
+    if (target.account.effectiveRank >= user.account.effectiveRank
+        || target.account.globalRank >= user.account.globalRank) {
         user.socket.emit("errorMsg", {
             msg: "/smute failed - " + target.getName() + " has equal or higher rank " +
                  "than you."
diff --git a/lib/channel/kickban.js b/lib/channel/kickban.js
index 233e02f3..9190b68d 100644
--- a/lib/channel/kickban.js
+++ b/lib/channel/kickban.js
@@ -175,7 +175,8 @@ KickBanModule.prototype.handleCmdKick = function (user, msg, meta) {
         return;
     }
 
-    if (target.account.effectiveRank >= user.account.effectiveRank) {
+    if (target.account.effectiveRank >= user.account.effectiveRank
+        || target.account.globalRank >= user.account.globalRank) {
         return user.socket.emit("errorMsg", {
             msg: "You do not have permission to kick " + target.getName()
         });