diff --git a/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumedactor.h b/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumedactor.h
index 3be31cbcd..fae54ac8d 100644
--- a/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumedactor.h
+++ b/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumedactor.h
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ inline void setActorPos(DExhumedActor* actor, vec3_t* pos)
 
 inline DExhumedActor* GetActor(const hitdata_t& hitData)
 {
-	return &exhumedActors[hitData.sprite];
+	return hitData.sprite < 0? nullptr : &exhumedActors[hitData.sprite];
 }
 
 END_BLD_NS