diff --git a/src/gamedata/textures/texturemanager.cpp b/src/gamedata/textures/texturemanager.cpp
index a53a14c58..17e711d66 100644
--- a/src/gamedata/textures/texturemanager.cpp
+++ b/src/gamedata/textures/texturemanager.cpp
@@ -428,6 +428,7 @@ bool FTextureManager::OkForLocalization(FTextureID texnum, const char *substitut
 	
 	uint32_t langtable = 0;
 	if (*substitute == '$') substitute = GStrings.GetString(substitute+1, &langtable);
+	else return true;	// String literals from the source data should never override graphics from the same definition.
 	if (substitute == nullptr) return true;	// The text does not exist.
 	
 	// Modes 2, 3 and 4 must not replace localized textures.