diff --git a/src/p_acs.cpp b/src/p_acs.cpp
index b707f4444..32a70cd15 100644
--- a/src/p_acs.cpp
+++ b/src/p_acs.cpp
@@ -575,11 +575,7 @@ int ACSStringPool::InsertString(FString &str, unsigned int h, unsigned int bucke
 	}
 	else
 	{ // Scan for the next free entry
-		unsigned int i;
-		for (i = FirstFreeEntry + 1; i < Pool.Size() && Pool[i].Next != FREE_ENTRY; ++i)
-		{
-		}
-		FirstFreeEntry = i;
+		FindFirstFreeEntry(FirstFreeEntry + 1);
 	}
 	PoolEntry *entry = &Pool[index];
 	entry->Str = str;
@@ -590,6 +586,23 @@ int ACSStringPool::InsertString(FString &str, unsigned int h, unsigned int bucke
 	return index | STRPOOL_LIBRARYID_OR;
 }
 
+//============================================================================
+//
+// ACSStringPool :: FindFirstFreeEntry
+//
+// Finds the first free entry, starting at base.
+//
+//============================================================================
+
+void ACSStringPool::FindFirstFreeEntry(unsigned base)
+{
+	while (base < Pool.Size() && Pool[base].Next != FREE_ENTRY)
+	{
+		base++;
+	}
+	FirstFreeEntry = base;
+}
+
 //============================================================================
 //
 // ACSStringPool :: ReadStrings
@@ -638,6 +651,7 @@ void ACSStringPool::ReadStrings(PNGHandle *png, DWORD id)
 		{
 			delete[] str;
 		}
+		FindFirstFreeEntry(0);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -690,6 +704,7 @@ void ACSStringPool::Dump() const
 			Printf("%4u. (%2d) \"%s\"\n", i, Pool[i].LockCount, Pool[i].Str.GetChars());
 		}
 	}
+	Printf("First free %u\n", FirstFreeEntry);
 }
 
 //============================================================================
diff --git a/src/p_acs.h b/src/p_acs.h
index 1a0fb3f60..ec41ab886 100644
--- a/src/p_acs.h
+++ b/src/p_acs.h
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ public:
 private:
 	int FindString(const char *str, size_t len, unsigned int h, unsigned int bucketnum);
 	int InsertString(FString &str, unsigned int h, unsigned int bucketnum, const SDWORD *stack, int stackdepth);
+	void FindFirstFreeEntry(unsigned int base);
 
 	enum { NUM_BUCKETS = 251 };
 	enum { FREE_ENTRY = 0xFFFFFFFE };	// Stored in PoolEntry's Next field