diff --git a/jquery.sortable.js b/jquery.sortable.js
index 2ebca6f..1a82001 100644
--- a/jquery.sortable.js
+++ b/jquery.sortable.js
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ $.fn.sortable = function(options) {
 				dragging.hide();
 				$(this)[placeholder.index() < $(this).index() ? 'after' : 'before'](placeholder);
 				placeholders.not(placeholder).detach();
-			} else if (!placeholders.is(this) && !$(this).children(options.items).length) {
+			} else if (!placeholders.is(this) && !$(this).children(options.items).filter( ".sortable-placeholder:visible" ).length) {
 				placeholders.detach();
 				$(this).append(placeholder);
 			}