diff --git a/source/exhumed/src/runlist.cpp b/source/exhumed/src/runlist.cpp
index 6ccb3eef7..fe0c6fbe0 100644
--- a/source/exhumed/src/runlist.cpp
+++ b/source/exhumed/src/runlist.cpp
@@ -1816,7 +1816,7 @@ void runlist_DamageEnemy(int nSprite, int nSprite2, short nDamage)
     runlist_SendMessageToRunRec(nRun, (nSprite2 & 0xFFFF) | 0x80000, nDamage * 4);
 
     // is there now one less creature? (has one died)
-    if (nPreCreaturesLeft > nCreaturesLeft)
+    if (nPreCreaturesLeft > nCreaturesLeft && nSprite2 > -1)
     {
         if (sprite[nSprite2].statnum != 100) {
             return;