diff --git a/util/koji-shadow b/util/koji-shadow
index 12b0bc3c..d00041d2 100755
--- a/util/koji-shadow
+++ b/util/koji-shadow
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ class BuildTracker(object):
                 if depth > 0:
                     print "%sDep replaced: %s->%s" % (head, build.nvr, replace)
                     return build
-            if options.prefer_new and not options.build:
+            if options.prefer_new and not (options.build or build.state == "common"):
                 latestBuild = self.newerBuild(build, tag)
                 if latestBuild != None:
                     build.substitute = latestBuild.nvr