diff --git a/salt/reactor/push_pillar.sls b/salt/reactor/push_pillar.sls
index 30417d6a2..2063a5744 100644
--- a/salt/reactor/push_pillar.sls
+++ b/salt/reactor/push_pillar.sls
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 # Two branches, keyed on node_id:
 #   A) node_id populated -> the change is scoped to that one minion. Look up the
 #      app in pillar_push_map.yaml and write an intent that runs the app's mapped
-#      state(s) targeted to just that node.
+#      state(s) on just that node, and only if the node is in the app's target.
 #   B) node_id empty -> grid-wide app change. Look up the app in
 #      pillar_push_map.yaml and write an intent with the entry's actions as-is.
 #
@@ -116,15 +116,17 @@ def _app_from_setting(setting_id):
 
 
 def _node_actions(entry, node_id):
-    # Copy the app's mapped actions but retarget each one to the single node.
+    # Copy the app's mapped actions but narrow each one to the single node.
     # Preserves the state/highstate selection and any batch/batch_wait overrides.
+    # The app's own target is kept so the state is not applied to a node that does not
+    # run the app (e.g. an elasticsearch setting saved for a sensor fails to render there).
     actions = []
     for action in entry:
         if not isinstance(action, dict):
             continue
         node_action = dict(action)
-        node_action['tgt'] = node_id
-        node_action['tgt_type'] = 'glob'
+        node_action['tgt'] = 'L@{} and ( {} )'.format(node_id, action.get('tgt', '*'))
+        node_action['tgt_type'] = 'compound'
         actions.append(node_action)
     return actions