diff --git a/src/p_conversation.cpp b/src/p_conversation.cpp
index db5fd400c4..a74b9bd18e 100644
--- a/src/p_conversation.cpp
+++ b/src/p_conversation.cpp
@@ -1345,12 +1345,14 @@ static void HandleReply(player_t *player, bool isconsole, int nodenum, int reply
 	if (reply->NextNode != 0)
 	{
 		int rootnode = npc->ConversationRoot;
-		if (reply->NextNode < 0)
+		unsigned next = (unsigned)(rootnode + (reply->NextNode < 0 ? -1 : 1) * reply->NextNode - 1);
+
+		if (next < StrifeDialogues.Size())
 		{
-			unsigned next = (unsigned)(rootnode - reply->NextNode - 1);
-			if (gameaction != ga_slideshow && next < StrifeDialogues.Size())
+			npc->Conversation = StrifeDialogues[next];
+
+			if (gameaction != ga_slideshow)
 			{
-				npc->Conversation = StrifeDialogues[next];
 				P_StartConversation (npc, player->mo, player->ConversationFaceTalker, false);
 				return;
 			}
@@ -1359,10 +1361,6 @@ static void HandleReply(player_t *player, bool isconsole, int nodenum, int reply
 				S_StopSound (npc, CHAN_VOICE);
 			}
 		}
-		else
-		{
-			npc->Conversation = StrifeDialogues[rootnode + reply->NextNode - 1];
-		}
 	}
 
 	npc->angle = player->ConversationNPCAngle;