diff --git a/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h b/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h
index d4b1e262d..988119b2e 100644
--- a/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h
+++ b/src/playsim/p_visualthinker.h
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ public:
 	sector_t		*cursector;
 
 	int flags;
+	int				sprite;				// used to find patch_t and flip value
+	uint8_t			frame;				// sprite frame to draw
 
 	// internal only variables
 	particle_t		PT;
diff --git a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp
index 326749c16..7940affc1 100644
--- a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp
+++ b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ bool HWSprite::CalculateVertices(HWDrawInfo* di, FVector3* v, DVector3* vp)
 	const bool drawBillboardFacingCamera = hw_force_cambbpref ? gl_billboard_faces_camera :
 		gl_billboard_faces_camera
 		|| ((actor && (!(actor->renderflags2 & RF2_BILLBOARDNOFACECAMERA) && (actor->renderflags2 & RF2_BILLBOARDFACECAMERA)))
-		|| ((!(particle->flags & SPF_NOFACECAMERA) && (particle->flags & SPF_FACECAMERA))));
+		|| (particle && (!(particle->flags & SPF_NOFACECAMERA) && (particle->flags & SPF_FACECAMERA))));
 
 	// [Nash] has +ROLLSPRITE
 	const bool drawRollSpriteActor = (actor != nullptr && actor->renderflags & RF_ROLLSPRITE);