diff --git a/packages/valory/skills/decision_maker_abci/behaviours/sampling.py b/packages/valory/skills/decision_maker_abci/behaviours/sampling.py
index dc14cb64..b6fd79ba 100644
--- a/packages/valory/skills/decision_maker_abci/behaviours/sampling.py
+++ b/packages/valory/skills/decision_maker_abci/behaviours/sampling.py
@@ -75,6 +75,11 @@ def processable_bet(self, bet: Bet) -> bool:
         )
         within_ranges = within_opening_range and within_safe_range
 
+        # rebetting is allowed only if we have already placed at least one bet in this market.
+        # conversely, if we should not rebet, no bets should have been placed in this market.
+        if self.should_rebet ^ bool(bet.n_bets):
+            return False
+
         # if we should not rebet, we have all the information we need
         if not self.should_rebet:
             # the `has_liquidity_changed` check is dangerous; this can result in a bet never being processed
@@ -86,10 +91,6 @@ def processable_bet(self, bet: Bet) -> bool:
             #     5. the market is never selected again, and therefore a bet is never placed on it
             return within_ranges and self.has_liquidity_changed(bet)
 
-        # if we should rebet, we should have at least one bet processed in the past
-        if not bool(bet.n_bets):
-            return False
-
         # create a filter based on whether we can rebet or not
         lifetime = bet.openingTimestamp - now
         t_rebetting = (lifetime // UNIX_WEEK) + UNIX_DAY