diff --git a/engine/client/r_part.c b/engine/client/r_part.c
index dd247d68b..c71f6399e 100644
--- a/engine/client/r_part.c
+++ b/engine/client/r_part.c
@@ -4447,7 +4447,7 @@ void DrawParticleTypes (void (*texturedparticles)(particle_t *,part_type_t*), vo
 		// delete from run list if necessary
 		if (!type->particles && !type->beams)
 		{
-			if (!prevtype)
+			if (part_run_list == type)
 				part_run_list = type->nexttorun;
 			else
 				prevtype->nexttorun = type->nexttorun;