diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c
index c8b690961..1c7b6b94b 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c
@@ -17261,7 +17261,7 @@ int32_t getspritecol(int32_t spr)
     int picnum = sprite[spr].picnum;
     int pal = sprite[spr].pal;
 
-    if (palookup[pal] == NULL) pal = 0;
+    if (palookup[pal] == NULL || tilecols[picnum] && palookup[pal][tilecols[picnum]] == 0) pal = 0;
 
     if (tilecols[picnum]) return palookup[pal][tilecols[picnum]];