diff --git a/src/simulation/elements/PHOT.cpp b/src/simulation/elements/PHOT.cpp
index 9ef33dd5f6..c559a7f86a 100644
--- a/src/simulation/elements/PHOT.cpp
+++ b/src/simulation/elements/PHOT.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,8 @@ int Element_PHOT::update(UPDATE_FUNC_ARGS)
 					parts[i].vy = 3.0f*sinf(a);
 					if(parts[i].ctype == 0x3FFFFFFF)
 						parts[i].ctype = 0x1F<<(rand()%26);
-					parts[i].life++; //Delay death
+					if (parts[i].life)
+						parts[i].life++; //Delay death
 				}
 				else if((r&0xFF) == PT_BGLA && !ry && !rx)//if on BGLA
 				{