diff --git a/redbot/cogs/mod/names.py b/redbot/cogs/mod/names.py
index f7f531ef6..1a89fbdda 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/mod/names.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/mod/names.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from redbot.core.utils.common_filters import (
 )
 from redbot.core.utils.mod import get_audit_reason
 from .abc import MixinMeta
+from .utils import is_allowed_by_hierarchy
 
 _ = i18n.Translator("Mod", __file__)
 
@@ -55,6 +56,16 @@ class ModInfo(MixinMeta):
                     "equal to me in the role hierarchy."
                 )
             )
+        elif ctx.author != member and not await is_allowed_by_hierarchy(
+            self.bot, self.config, ctx.guild, ctx.author, member
+        ):
+            await ctx.send(
+                _(
+                    "I cannot let you do that. You are "
+                    "not higher than the user in the role "
+                    "hierarchy."
+                )
+            )
         else:
             try:
                 await member.edit(reason=get_audit_reason(ctx.author, None), nick=nickname)