diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp
index 381450518..5e6e6930a 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ void GameInterface::Render()
 
 void GameInterface::NextLevel(MapRecord* map, int skill)
 {
-	ud.player_skill = skill + 1;
+	if (skill != -1) ud.player_skill = skill + 1;
 	enterlevel(map, 0);
 }