diff --git a/src/polyrenderer/scene/poly_playersprite.cpp b/src/polyrenderer/scene/poly_playersprite.cpp
index 324c4e13a6..ababc71931 100644
--- a/src/polyrenderer/scene/poly_playersprite.cpp
+++ b/src/polyrenderer/scene/poly_playersprite.cpp
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ void RenderPolyPlayerSprites::RenderRemainingSprites()
 			DTA_FillColor, sprite.FillColor,
 			DTA_SpecialColormap, sprite.special,
 			DTA_ColorOverlay, sprite.overlay.d,
-			DTA_Color, sprite.LightColor,
+			DTA_Color, sprite.LightColor | 0xff000000,	// the color here does not have a valid alpha component.
 			DTA_Desaturate, sprite.Desaturate,
 			TAG_DONE);
 	}