diff --git a/src/p_conversation.cpp b/src/p_conversation.cpp
index d567f98666..350c464789 100644
--- a/src/p_conversation.cpp
+++ b/src/p_conversation.cpp
@@ -1152,7 +1152,7 @@ void P_StartConversation (AActor *npc, AActor *pc, bool facetalker, bool saveang
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		if (jump)
+		if (jump && CurNode->ItemCheckNode > 0)
 		{
 			int root = pc->player->ConversationNPC->ConversationRoot;
 			CurNode = StrifeDialogues[root + CurNode->ItemCheckNode - 1];
diff --git a/src/p_usdf.cpp b/src/p_usdf.cpp
index dc287384d1..95c8f5dc04 100644
--- a/src/p_usdf.cpp
+++ b/src/p_usdf.cpp
@@ -288,6 +288,7 @@ class USDFParser : public UDMFParserBase
 		//node->ItemCheckCount[0] = node->ItemCheckCount[1] = node->ItemCheckCount[2] = -1;
 
 		node->ThisNodeNum = StrifeDialogues.Push(node);
+		node->ItemCheckNode = -1;
 
 		FString SpeakerName;
 		FString Dialogue;