diff --git a/source/enemy/npc.cpp b/source/enemy/npc.cpp
index ce1f7c22f..dc69666fe 100644
--- a/source/enemy/npc.cpp
+++ b/source/enemy/npc.cpp
@@ -1320,9 +1320,7 @@ void CNpcEnemy::processShotDeathEnd( int _frames )
 		m_speed++;
 	}
 
-	DVECTOR const &offset = CLevel::getCameraPos();
-
-	if ( Pos.vy - offset.vy > VidGetScrH() )
+	if ( !canRender() )
 	{
 		if ( m_data[m_type].respawning )
 		{
diff --git a/source/enemy/npc.h b/source/enemy/npc.h
index 37c22bf1a..05f57cb53 100644
--- a/source/enemy/npc.h
+++ b/source/enemy/npc.h
@@ -125,6 +125,8 @@ public:
 	bool				suckUp( DVECTOR *suckPos, int _frames );
 
 	int					getHealth()												{return(m_health);}
+
+	bool				alwaysThink()											{return(m_isDying);}	// makes sure enemy drops off screen and is killed normally
 protected:
 	// NPC data structure definitions //