diff --git a/docs/rh-log.txt b/docs/rh-log.txt
index 382105171..0b7663c0e 100644
--- a/docs/rh-log.txt
+++ b/docs/rh-log.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
-April 2, 2009
+April 4, 2009  (Changes by Graf Zahl)
+- added 'damage' to the actor variables exported to DECORATE's expression
+  evaluator.
+- fixed: solid corpses could block ripper missile that originally killed them.
+
+April 2, 2009
 - Fixed: Doom's status bar was lacking its default face.
 - Fixed: Custom skin face graphics were not added to the texture manager.
 - Fixed: UseHealthItems() gave you health equal to the number of items in
diff --git a/src/d_main.h b/src/d_main.h
index 6255c4a87..56cc1ef1a 100644
--- a/src/d_main.h
+++ b/src/d_main.h
@@ -105,5 +105,6 @@ struct IWADInfo
 };
 
 extern const IWADInfo IWADInfos[NUM_IWAD_TYPES];
+extern EIWADType gameiwad;
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/g_shared/a_artifacts.cpp b/src/g_shared/a_artifacts.cpp
index 37eadb53e..1529206cc 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/a_artifacts.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/a_artifacts.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ IMPLEMENT_CLASS (APowerup)
 
 bool APowerupGiver::Use (bool pickup)
 {
+	if (PowerupType == NULL) return true;	// item is useless
+
 	APowerup *power = static_cast<APowerup *> (Spawn (PowerupType, 0, 0, 0, NO_REPLACE));
 
 	if (EffectTics != 0)
diff --git a/src/p_map.cpp b/src/p_map.cpp
index 09a8336ae..bed899622 100644
--- a/src/p_map.cpp
+++ b/src/p_map.cpp
@@ -834,6 +834,11 @@ bool PIT_CheckThing (AActor *thing, FCheckPosition &tm)
 		{
 			return true;
 		}
+		// Check for rippers passing through corpses
+		if ((thing->flags & MF_CORPSE) && (tm.thing->flags2 & MF2_RIP) && !(thing->flags & MF_SHOOTABLE))
+		{
+			return true;
+		}
 
 		int clipheight;
 		
diff --git a/src/thingdef/thingdef_expression.cpp b/src/thingdef/thingdef_expression.cpp
index 116b58544..e1e8a60e1 100644
--- a/src/thingdef/thingdef_expression.cpp
+++ b/src/thingdef/thingdef_expression.cpp
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ DEFINE_MEMBER_VARIABLE(z, AActor)
 DEFINE_MEMBER_VARIABLE(momx, AActor)
 DEFINE_MEMBER_VARIABLE(momy, AActor)
 DEFINE_MEMBER_VARIABLE(momz, AActor)
+DEFINE_MEMBER_VARIABLE(Damage, AActor)
 
 //==========================================================================
 //
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt b/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt
index 4fcae343c..7dfac00d5 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ ACTOR Actor native //: Thinker
 	native int tid;
 	native int TIDtoHate;
 	native int waterlevel;
+	native int damage;
 	native fixed_t x;
 	native fixed_t y;
 	native fixed_t z;