diff --git a/source/rr/src/game.cpp b/source/rr/src/game.cpp
index 19de48bcf..dca1e42e1 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/game.cpp
+++ b/source/rr/src/game.cpp
@@ -3181,7 +3181,8 @@ rr_badguy:
                 }
                 else changespritestat(newSprite, STAT_ZOMBIEACTOR);
 
-                pSprite->shade = sprite[spriteNum].shade;
+                if (RR && spriteNum >= 0)
+                    pSprite->shade = sprite[spriteNum].shade;
             }
 
             break;