diff --git a/TileEngine/Explosion Control.cpp b/TileEngine/Explosion Control.cpp
index 1051b8c9..47472f01 100644
--- a/TileEngine/Explosion Control.cpp	
+++ b/TileEngine/Explosion Control.cpp	
@@ -4074,18 +4074,21 @@ void HandleExplosionQueue( void )
 				if ( (*pObj)[0]->data.ubWireNetworkFlag & ARTILLERY_STRIKE_COUNT_2 )	cnt += 2;
 				if ( (*pObj)[0]->data.ubWireNetworkFlag & ARTILLERY_STRIKE_COUNT_4 )	cnt += 4;
 
-				// determine gridno to attack - smoke signal required. Otherwise, it is assumed the radio operator ordered the bombing of his OWN position
-				// if we cannot even find a radio operator, all bets are off - target a random gridno
-				// the usual +/- 2 shenanigans
-				UINT16 usOwner = max( 0, (*pObj)[0]->data.misc.ubBombOwner - 2 );
-				INT32 sTargetGridNo = -1;
-				if ( GetRandomSignalSmokeGridNo( &sTargetGridNo ) || GetRadioOperatorSignal( usOwner, &sTargetGridNo ) || (sTargetGridNo = RandomGridNo( )) )
-				{
-					for ( UINT8 i = 0; i < cnt; ++i)
-						ArtilleryStrike( pObj->usItem, usOwner, sGridNo, sTargetGridNo );
-				}
+					// determine gridno to attack - smoke signal required. Otherwise, it is assumed the radio operator ordered the bombing of his OWN position
+					// if we cannot even find a radio operator, all bets are off - target a random gridno
+					// the usual +/- 2 shenanigans
+					UINT16 usOwner = NOBODY;
+					if ( (*pObj)[0]->data.misc.ubBombOwner > 1 )
+						usOwner = (*pObj)[0]->data.misc.ubBombOwner - 2;
 
-				// not needed anymore
+					INT32 sTargetGridNo = NOWHERE;
+					if ( GetRandomSignalSmokeGridNo( &sTargetGridNo ) || GetRadioOperatorSignal( usOwner, &sTargetGridNo ) || (sTargetGridNo = RandomGridNo( )) )
+					{
+						for ( UINT8 i = 0; i < cnt; ++i)
+							ArtilleryStrike( pObj->usItem, usOwner, sGridNo, sTargetGridNo );
+					}
+
+					// not needed anymore
 				RemoveItemFromPool( sGridNo, gWorldBombs[ uiWorldBombIndex ].iItemIndex, ubLevel );
 			}
 			else