diff --git a/ref/soft/r_decals.c b/ref/soft/r_decals.c
index 57be64d2..ac2b1501 100644
--- a/ref/soft/r_decals.c
+++ b/ref/soft/r_decals.c
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ void R_DecalSurface( msurface_t *surf, decalinfo_t *decalinfo )
 	{
 		// NOTE: we may have the decal on this surface that come from another level.
 		// check duplicate with same position and texture
-		while( decal != NULL )
+		while( decal != NULL && decal != decal->pnext )
 		{
 			if( VectorCompare( decal->position, decalinfo->m_Position ) && decal->texture == decalinfo->m_iTexture )
 				return; // decal already exists, don't place it again