diff --git a/source/games/sw/src/sprite.cpp b/source/games/sw/src/sprite.cpp
index fb93034c1..6646bae45 100644
--- a/source/games/sw/src/sprite.cpp
+++ b/source/games/sw/src/sprite.cpp
@@ -870,6 +870,7 @@ SpawnUser(short SpriteNum, short id, STATEp state)
 
     ASSERT(!Prediction);
 
+    User[SpriteNum].Clear();    // make sure to delete old, stale content first!
     User[SpriteNum].Alloc();
     u = User[SpriteNum].Data();