diff --git a/Source/monster.cpp b/Source/monster.cpp
index cc6606739..b31df5d6a 100644
--- a/Source/monster.cpp
+++ b/Source/monster.cpp
@@ -5859,7 +5859,11 @@ void TalktoMonster(int i)
 	int pnum, itm;
 
 	if ((DWORD)i >= MAXMONSTERS)
+#ifdef HELLFIRE
+		return;
+#else
 		app_fatal("TalktoMonster: Invalid monster %d", i);
+#endif
 
 	Monst = &monster[i];
 	pnum = Monst->_menemy;