diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c
index 39f771940..1a1093c9e 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c
@@ -2018,7 +2018,8 @@ static void ReadHelpFile(const char *name)
             if (charsread>0)
             {
                 tempbuf[charsread-1]=0;
-                if (tempbuf[charsread-2]==0x0d) tempbuf[charsread-2]=0;
+                if (charsread>=2 && tempbuf[charsread-2]==0x0d)
+                    tempbuf[charsread-2]=0;
             }
 
             Bmemcpy(hp->line[j], tempbuf, 80);