diff --git a/src/main/java/org/terasology/module/lightandshadow/systems/PlayerDeathSystem.java b/src/main/java/org/terasology/module/lightandshadow/systems/PlayerDeathSystem.java
index e5eadf99..90f8bd1b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/terasology/module/lightandshadow/systems/PlayerDeathSystem.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/terasology/module/lightandshadow/systems/PlayerDeathSystem.java
@@ -61,7 +61,10 @@ public void beforeDestroy(BeforeDestroyEvent event, EntityRef player,
         if (player.hasComponent(PlayerCharacterComponent.class)) {
             event.consume();
             String team = player.getComponent(LASTeamComponent.class).team;
-            updateStatistics(event.getInstigator(), "kills");
+            // if a player dies on their own account, we don't want to update kill statistics
+            if (event.getInstigator() != EntityRef.NULL) {
+                updateStatistics(event.getInstigator(), "kills");
+            }
             updateStatistics(player, "deaths");
             dropItemsFromInventory(player);
             player.send(new RestoreFullHealthEvent(player));