diff --git a/src/g_doom/doom_sbar.cpp b/src/g_doom/doom_sbar.cpp
index d944dfbc57..edbcadb6fd 100644
--- a/src/g_doom/doom_sbar.cpp
+++ b/src/g_doom/doom_sbar.cpp
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@ private:
 			if(FindMugShotState(fullStateName) != NULL)
 				SetMugShotState(fullStateName);
 			else
-				SetMugShotState(stateName);
+				SetMugShotState("death");
 		}
 		return 0;
 	}