diff --git a/source/common/utility/tarray.h b/source/common/utility/tarray.h
index dbd63002b..1df7e5d39 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/tarray.h
+++ b/source/common/utility/tarray.h
@@ -316,9 +316,16 @@ public:
 	// Returns a reference to the last element
 	T &Last() const
 	{
+		assert(Count > 0);
 		return Array[Count-1];
 	}
 
+	T SafeGet (size_t index, const T& defaultval) const
+	{
+		if (index <= Count) return Array[index];
+		else return defaultval;
+	}
+
 	// returns address of first element
 	T *Data() const
 	{
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp
index 8d4617d55..d1399d991 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp
@@ -1760,23 +1760,23 @@ int ParseState::parse(void)
 		break;
 	case concmd_ifsoundid:
 		insptr++;
-		parseifelse((short)*insptr == ambienttags[g_ac->spr.detail].lo);
+		parseifelse((short)*insptr == ambienttags.SafeGet(g_ac->spr.detail, {}).lo);
 		break;
 	case concmd_ifsounddist:
 		insptr++;
 		if (*insptr == 0)
-			parseifelse(ambienttags[g_ac->spr.detail].hi > g_x);
+			parseifelse(ambienttags.SafeGet(g_ac->spr.detail, {}).hi > g_x);
 		else if (*insptr == 1)
-			parseifelse(ambienttags[g_ac->spr.detail].hi < g_x);
+			parseifelse(ambienttags.SafeGet(g_ac->spr.detail, {}).hi < g_x);
 		break;
 	case concmd_soundtag:
 		insptr++;
-		S_PlayActorSound(ambienttags[g_ac->spr.detail].lo, g_ac);
+		S_PlayActorSound(ambienttags.SafeGet(g_ac->spr.detail, {}).lo, g_ac);
 		break;
 	case concmd_soundtagonce:
 		insptr++;
-		if (!S_CheckActorSoundPlaying(g_ac, ambienttags[g_ac->spr.detail].lo))
-			S_PlayActorSound(ambienttags[g_ac->spr.detail].lo, g_ac);
+		if (!S_CheckActorSoundPlaying(g_ac, ambienttags.SafeGet(g_ac->spr.detail, {}).lo))
+			S_PlayActorSound(ambienttags.SafeGet(g_ac->spr.detail, {}).lo, g_ac);
 		break;
 	case concmd_soundonce:
 		insptr++;
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/spawn_r.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/spawn_r.cpp
index 00d5dda1b..51bae9900 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/spawn_r.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/spawn_r.cpp
@@ -563,12 +563,6 @@ DDukeActor* spawninit_r(DDukeActor* actj, DDukeActor* act, TArray<DDukeActor*>*
 	case SHOTGUNSHELL:
 		initshell(actj, act, act->spr.picnum == SHELL);
 		break;
-	case SOUNDFX:
-	{
-		act->spr.cstat |= CSTAT_SPRITE_INVISIBLE;
-		ChangeActorStat(act, STAT_ZOMBIEACTOR);
-	}
-	break;
 	case EXPLOSION2:
 	case EXPLOSION3:
 	case BURNING:
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/controllers.zs b/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/controllers.zs
index eb236d5e9..8ba1ed9a0 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/controllers.zs
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/controllers.zs
@@ -164,16 +164,17 @@ class DukeDummyCtrl : DukeActor
 
 class DukeSoundFX : DukeActor
 {
-	default
-	{
-		statnum STAT_ZOMBIEACTOR;
-	}
-	
 	override void StaticSetup()
 	{
 		self.cstat = CSTAT_SPRITE_INVISIBLE;
 		self.detail = dlevel.addambient(self.hitag, self.lotag);
 		self.lotag = self.hitag = 0;
 	}
+	
+	// this actor needs to start on STAT_DEFAULT.
+	override void Initialize()
+	{
+		self.ChangeStat(STAT_ZOMBIEACTOR);
+	}
 }