diff --git a/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp b/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
index af8514698..c16d4a982 100644
--- a/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
+++ b/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
@@ -1052,6 +1052,16 @@ DVisualThinker* DVisualThinker::NewVisualThinker(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* ty
 
 	auto zs = static_cast<DVisualThinker*>(Level->CreateThinker(type, DVisualThinker::DEFAULT_STAT));
 	zs->Construct();
+
+	IFOVERRIDENVIRTUALPTRNAME(zs, NAME_VisualThinker, BeginPlay)
+	{
+		VMValue params[] = { zs };
+		VMCall(func, params, 1, nullptr, 0);
+
+		if (zs->ObjectFlags & OF_EuthanizeMe)
+			return nullptr;
+	}
+
 	return zs;
 }
 
@@ -1269,11 +1279,22 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(DVisualThinker, SetRenderStyle, SetRenderStyle)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int DVisualThinker::GetRenderStyle()
+int DVisualThinker::GetRenderStyle() const
 {
 	return PT.style;
 }
 
+static int GetRenderStyle(DVisualThinker* self)
+{
+	return self->GetRenderStyle();
+}
+
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(DVisualThinker, GetRenderStyle, GetRenderStyle)
+{
+	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DVisualThinker);
+	ACTION_RETURN_INT(self->GetRenderStyle());
+}
+
 float DVisualThinker::GetOffset(bool y) const // Needed for the renderer.
 {
 	if (y)
diff --git a/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h b/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h
index 9fb5eae65..16043effd 100644
--- a/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h
+++ b/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
 
 	static DVisualThinker* NewVisualThinker(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type);
 	void SetTranslation(FName trname);
-	int GetRenderStyle();
+	int GetRenderStyle() const;
 	bool isFrozen();
 	int GetLightLevel(sector_t *rendersector) const;
 	FVector3 InterpolatedPosition(double ticFrac) const;
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/visualthinker.zs b/wadsrc/static/zscript/visualthinker.zs
index 2b6d9a842..d5dc2253a 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/visualthinker.zs
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/visualthinker.zs
@@ -26,7 +26,10 @@ Class VisualThinker : Thinker native
 
 	native Sector			CurSector; // can be null!
 
+	virtual void BeginPlay() {}
+
 	native void SetTranslation(Name trans);
+	native clearscope ERenderStyle GetRenderStyle() const;
 	native void SetRenderStyle(int mode); // see ERenderStyle
 	native bool IsFrozen();