diff --git a/src/g_items.c b/src/g_items.c
index ea78237..641fce4 100644
--- a/src/g_items.c
+++ b/src/g_items.c
@@ -219,27 +219,6 @@ Pickup_Powerup(edict_t *ent, edict_t *other)
 		{
 			SetRespawn(ent, ent->item->quantity);
 		}
-
-		if (((int)dmflags->value & DF_INSTANT_ITEMS) ||
-			((ent->item->use == Use_Quad) &&
-			 (ent->spawnflags & DROPPED_PLAYER_ITEM)))
-		{
-			if ((ent->item->use == Use_Quad) &&
-				(ent->spawnflags & DROPPED_PLAYER_ITEM))
-			{
-				quad_drop_timeout_hack =
-					(ent->nextthink - level.time) / FRAMETIME;
-			}
-
-			if (ent->item->use)
-			{
-				ent->item->use(other, ent->item);
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				gi.dprintf("Powerup has no use function!\n");
-			}
-		}
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -788,18 +767,6 @@ Pickup_Sphere(edict_t *ent, edict_t *other)
 		{
 			SetRespawn(ent, ent->item->quantity);
 		}
-
-		if (((int)dmflags->value & DF_INSTANT_ITEMS))
-		{
-			if (ent->item->use)
-			{
-				ent->item->use(other, ent->item);
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				gi.dprintf("Powerup has no use function!\n");
-			}
-		}
 	}
 
 	return true;
@@ -1591,6 +1558,33 @@ Touch_Item(edict_t *ent, edict_t *other, cplane_t *plane /* unused */, csurface_
 		{
 			gi.sound(other, CHAN_ITEM, gi.soundindex(ent->item->pickup_sound), 1, ATTN_NORM, 0);
 		}
+
+		/* activate item instantly if appropriate */
+		/* moved down here so activation sounds override the pickup sound */
+		if (deathmatch->value)
+		{
+			if ((((int)dmflags->value & DF_INSTANT_ITEMS) &&
+				 (ent->item->flags & IT_INSTANT_USE)) ||
+				((ent->item->use == Use_Quad) &&
+				 (ent->spawnflags & DROPPED_PLAYER_ITEM)))
+			{
+				if ((ent->item->use == Use_Quad) &&
+					(ent->spawnflags & DROPPED_PLAYER_ITEM))
+				{
+					quad_drop_timeout_hack =
+						(ent->nextthink - level.time) / FRAMETIME;
+				}
+
+				if (ent->item->use)
+				{
+					ent->item->use(other, ent->item);
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					gi.dprintf("Powerup has no use function!\n");
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	if (!(ent->spawnflags & ITEM_TARGETS_USED))
@@ -2859,7 +2853,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP|IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -2881,7 +2875,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		300,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -2903,7 +2897,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -2925,7 +2919,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_STAY_COOP | IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_STAY_COOP | IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -2947,7 +2941,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_STAY_COOP | IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_STAY_COOP | IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -3059,7 +3053,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -3081,7 +3075,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -3124,7 +3118,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -3146,7 +3140,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		120,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
@@ -3168,7 +3162,7 @@ gitem_t itemlist[] = {
 		2,
 		60,
 		NULL,
-		IT_POWERUP,
+		IT_POWERUP | IT_INSTANT_USE,
 		0,
 		NULL,
 		0,
diff --git a/src/header/local.h b/src/header/local.h
index 2075e38..bc1eca3 100644
--- a/src/header/local.h
+++ b/src/header/local.h
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ typedef struct
 #define IT_POWERUP 0x00000020
 #define IT_MELEE 0x00000040
 #define IT_NOT_GIVEABLE 0x00000080      /* item can not be given */
+#define IT_INSTANT_USE 0x000000100		/* item is insta-used on pickup if dmflag is set */
 
 /* gitem_t->weapmodel for weapons indicates model index */
 #define WEAP_BLASTER 1