diff --git a/src/hu_stuff.c b/src/hu_stuff.c
index 58d418dd..88027c66 100644
--- a/src/hu_stuff.c
+++ b/src/hu_stuff.c
@@ -2660,7 +2660,7 @@ static void HU_DrawRankings(void)
 
 	for (j = 0; j < numplayersingame; j++)
 	{
-		UINT8 lowestposition = MAXPLAYERS;
+		UINT8 lowestposition = MAXPLAYERS+1;
 		for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
 		{
 			if (completed[i] || !playeringame[i] || players[i].spectator || !players[i].mo)
diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index e6b2da17..071bf6cd 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -6561,7 +6561,7 @@ static boolean K_drawKartPositionFaces(void)
 
 	for (j = 0; j < numplayersingame; j++)
 	{
-		UINT8 lowestposition = MAXPLAYERS;
+		UINT8 lowestposition = MAXPLAYERS+1;
 		for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
 		{
 			if (completed[i] || !playeringame[i] || players[i].spectator || !players[i].mo)