diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp
index a3614af96..2e53fe802 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp
@@ -816,6 +816,9 @@ namespace MWClass
     void Creature::readAdditionalState (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, const ESM::ObjectState& state)
         const
     {
+        if (!state.mHasCustomState)
+            return;
+
         const ESM::CreatureState& state2 = dynamic_cast<const ESM::CreatureState&> (state);
 
         ensureCustomData(ptr);
@@ -844,7 +847,6 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         customData.mContainerStore->readState (state2.mInventory);
         customData.mCreatureStats.readState (state2.mCreatureStats);
-
     }
 
     void Creature::writeAdditionalState (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, ESM::ObjectState& state)
@@ -852,6 +854,12 @@ namespace MWClass
     {
         ESM::CreatureState& state2 = dynamic_cast<ESM::CreatureState&> (state);
 
+        if (!ptr.getRefData().getCustomData())
+        {
+            state.mHasCustomState = false;
+            return;
+        }
+
         ensureCustomData (ptr);
 
         CreatureCustomData& customData = dynamic_cast<CreatureCustomData&> (*ptr.getRefData().getCustomData());
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
index ac4182734..8f62cc1e8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
@@ -1275,6 +1275,9 @@ namespace MWClass
     void Npc::readAdditionalState (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, const ESM::ObjectState& state)
         const
     {
+        if (!state.mHasCustomState)
+            return;
+
         const ESM::NpcState& state2 = dynamic_cast<const ESM::NpcState&> (state);
 
         ensureCustomData(ptr);
@@ -1302,6 +1305,12 @@ namespace MWClass
     {
         ESM::NpcState& state2 = dynamic_cast<ESM::NpcState&> (state);
 
+        if (!ptr.getRefData().getCustomData())
+        {
+            state.mHasCustomState = false;
+            return;
+        }
+
         ensureCustomData (ptr);
 
         NpcCustomData& customData = dynamic_cast<NpcCustomData&> (*ptr.getRefData().getCustomData());
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
index 4cf99fdb7..605c8f9d2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,9 @@ namespace
                 RecordType state;
                 iter->save (state);
 
+                // recordId currently unused
                 writer.writeHNT ("OBJE", collection.mList.front().mBase->sRecordId);
+
                 state.save (writer);
             }
         }
@@ -93,12 +95,13 @@ namespace
 
     template<typename RecordType, typename T>
     void readReferenceCollection (ESM::ESMReader& reader,
-        MWWorld::CellRefList<T>& collection, const std::map<int, int>& contentFileMap)
+        MWWorld::CellRefList<T>& collection, const ESM::CellRef& cref, const std::map<int, int>& contentFileMap)
     {
         const MWWorld::ESMStore& esmStore = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore();
 
         RecordType state;
-        state.load (reader);
+        state.mRef = cref;
+        state.load(reader);
 
         // If the reference came from a content file, make sure this content file is loaded
         if (state.mRef.mRefNum.hasContentFile())
@@ -640,109 +643,121 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         while (reader.isNextSub ("OBJE"))
         {
-            unsigned int id = 0;
-            reader.getHT (id);
+            unsigned int unused;
+            reader.getHT (unused);
+
+            // load the RefID first so we know what type of object it is
+            ESM::CellRef cref;
+            cref.loadId(reader, true);
+
+            int type = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().find(cref.mRefID);
+            if (type == 0)
+            {
+                std::cerr << "Dropping reference to '" << cref.mRefID << "' (object no longer exists)" << std::endl;
+                reader.skipHSubUntil("OBJE");
+                continue;
+            }
 
-            switch (id)
+            switch (type)
             {
                 case ESM::REC_ACTI:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mActivators, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mActivators, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_ALCH:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mPotions, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mPotions, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_APPA:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mAppas, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mAppas, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_ARMO:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mArmors, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mArmors, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_BOOK:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mBooks, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mBooks, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_CLOT:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mClothes, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mClothes, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_CONT:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ContainerState> (reader, mContainers, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ContainerState> (reader, mContainers, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_CREA:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::CreatureState> (reader, mCreatures, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::CreatureState> (reader, mCreatures, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_DOOR:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::DoorState> (reader, mDoors, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::DoorState> (reader, mDoors, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_INGR:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mIngreds, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mIngreds, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_LEVC:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::CreatureLevListState> (reader, mCreatureLists, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::CreatureLevListState> (reader, mCreatureLists, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_LEVI:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mItemLists, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mItemLists, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_LIGH:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mLights, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mLights, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_LOCK:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mLockpicks, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mLockpicks, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_MISC:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mMiscItems, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mMiscItems, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_NPC_:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::NpcState> (reader, mNpcs, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::NpcState> (reader, mNpcs, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_PROB:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mProbes, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mProbes, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_REPA:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mRepairs, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mRepairs, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_STAT:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mStatics, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mStatics, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 case ESM::REC_WEAP:
 
-                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mWeapons, contentFileMap);
+                    readReferenceCollection<ESM::ObjectState> (reader, mWeapons, cref, contentFileMap);
                     break;
 
                 default:
diff --git a/components/esm/cellref.cpp b/components/esm/cellref.cpp
index 0c2dfd5db..cd9fe8570 100644
--- a/components/esm/cellref.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/cellref.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,12 @@
 #include "esmwriter.hpp"
 
 void ESM::CellRef::load (ESMReader& esm, bool wideRefNum)
+{
+    loadId(esm, wideRefNum);
+    loadData(esm);
+}
+
+void ESM::CellRef::loadId(ESMReader &esm, bool wideRefNum)
 {
     // According to Hrnchamd, this does not belong to the actual ref. Instead, it is a marker indicating that
     // the following refs are part of a "temp refs" section. A temp ref is not being tracked by the moved references system.
@@ -19,8 +25,6 @@ void ESM::CellRef::load (ESMReader& esm, bool wideRefNum)
         esm.getHNT (mRefNum.mIndex, "FRMR");
 
     mRefID = esm.getHNString ("NAME");
-
-    loadData(esm);
 }
 
 void ESM::CellRef::loadData(ESMReader &esm)
diff --git a/components/esm/cellref.hpp b/components/esm/cellref.hpp
index b7b00a654..7aa0e4d44 100644
--- a/components/esm/cellref.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/cellref.hpp
@@ -89,8 +89,11 @@ namespace ESM
             // Position and rotation of this object within the cell
             Position mPos;
 
+            /// Calls loadId and loadData
             void load (ESMReader& esm, bool wideRefNum = false);
 
+            void loadId (ESMReader& esm, bool wideRefNum = false);
+
             /// Implicitly called by load
             void loadData (ESMReader& esm);
 
diff --git a/components/esm/creaturestate.cpp b/components/esm/creaturestate.cpp
index c2838f78d..c15becd98 100644
--- a/components/esm/creaturestate.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/creaturestate.cpp
@@ -5,18 +5,24 @@ void ESM::CreatureState::load (ESMReader &esm)
 {
     ObjectState::load (esm);
 
-    mInventory.load (esm);
+    if (mHasCustomState)
+    {
+        mInventory.load (esm);
 
-    mCreatureStats.load (esm);
+        mCreatureStats.load (esm);
+    }
 }
 
 void ESM::CreatureState::save (ESMWriter &esm, bool inInventory) const
 {
     ObjectState::save (esm, inInventory);
 
-    mInventory.save (esm);
+    if (mHasCustomState)
+    {
+        mInventory.save (esm);
 
-    mCreatureStats.save (esm);
+        mCreatureStats.save (esm);
+    }
 }
 
 void ESM::CreatureState::blank()
diff --git a/components/esm/esmreader.cpp b/components/esm/esmreader.cpp
index 7cf0de1a9..de110dd18 100644
--- a/components/esm/esmreader.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/esmreader.cpp
@@ -210,6 +210,17 @@ void ESMReader::skipHSubSize(int size)
         fail("skipHSubSize() mismatch");
 }
 
+void ESMReader::skipHSubUntil(const char *name)
+{
+    while (hasMoreSubs() && !isNextSub(name))
+    {
+        mCtx.subCached = false;
+        skipHSub();
+    }
+    if (hasMoreSubs())
+        mCtx.subCached = true;
+}
+
 void ESMReader::getSubHeader()
 {
     if (mCtx.leftRec < 4)
diff --git a/components/esm/esmreader.hpp b/components/esm/esmreader.hpp
index 642ec4168..bb615af11 100644
--- a/components/esm/esmreader.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/esmreader.hpp
@@ -195,6 +195,9 @@ public:
   // Skip sub record and check its size
   void skipHSubSize(int size);
 
+  // Skip all subrecords until the given subrecord or no more subrecords remaining
+  void skipHSubUntil(const char* name);
+
   /* Sub-record header. This updates leftRec beyond the current
      sub-record as well. leftSub contains size of current sub-record.
   */
diff --git a/components/esm/inventorystate.cpp b/components/esm/inventorystate.cpp
index fdaba3322..b946f9501 100644
--- a/components/esm/inventorystate.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/inventorystate.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ namespace
         slot = -1;
         esm.getHNOT (slot, "SLOT");
 
+        state.mRef.loadId(esm, true);
         state.load (esm);
     }
 
diff --git a/components/esm/npcstate.cpp b/components/esm/npcstate.cpp
index 6134193c2..724d67326 100644
--- a/components/esm/npcstate.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/npcstate.cpp
@@ -5,22 +5,28 @@ void ESM::NpcState::load (ESMReader &esm)
 {
     ObjectState::load (esm);
 
-    mInventory.load (esm);
+    if (mHasCustomState)
+    {
+        mInventory.load (esm);
 
-    mNpcStats.load (esm);
+        mNpcStats.load (esm);
 
-    mCreatureStats.load (esm);
+        mCreatureStats.load (esm);
+    }
 }
 
 void ESM::NpcState::save (ESMWriter &esm, bool inInventory) const
 {
     ObjectState::save (esm, inInventory);
 
-    mInventory.save (esm);
+    if (mHasCustomState)
+    {
+        mInventory.save (esm);
 
-    mNpcStats.save (esm);
+        mNpcStats.save (esm);
 
-    mCreatureStats.save (esm);
+        mCreatureStats.save (esm);
+    }
 }
 
 void ESM::NpcState::blank()
@@ -28,4 +34,5 @@ void ESM::NpcState::blank()
     ObjectState::blank();
     mNpcStats.blank();
     mCreatureStats.blank();
+    mHasCustomState = true;
 }
diff --git a/components/esm/objectstate.cpp b/components/esm/objectstate.cpp
index 98cf3eba6..66fd49663 100644
--- a/components/esm/objectstate.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/objectstate.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 void ESM::ObjectState::load (ESMReader &esm)
 {
-    mRef.load (esm, true);
+    mRef.loadData(esm);
 
     mHasLocals = 0;
     esm.getHNOT (mHasLocals, "HLOC");
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ void ESM::ObjectState::load (ESMReader &esm)
     // used for lights only
     mTime = 0;
     esm.getHNOT (mTime, "LTIM");
+
+    // FIXME: assuming "false" as default would make more sense, but also break compatibility with older save files
+    mHasCustomState = true;
+    esm.getHNOT (mHasCustomState, "HCUS");
 }
 
 void ESM::ObjectState::save (ESMWriter &esm, bool inInventory) const
@@ -53,6 +57,9 @@ void ESM::ObjectState::save (ESMWriter &esm, bool inInventory) const
 
     if (mTime)
         esm.writeHNT ("LTIM", mTime);
+
+    if (!mHasCustomState)
+        esm.writeHNT ("HCUS", false);
 }
 
 void ESM::ObjectState::blank()
@@ -68,6 +75,7 @@ void ESM::ObjectState::blank()
         mLocalRotation[i] = 0;
     }
     mTime = 0;
+    mHasCustomState = true;
 }
 
 ESM::ObjectState::~ObjectState() {}
diff --git a/components/esm/objectstate.hpp b/components/esm/objectstate.hpp
index 6b536bd01..b03689653 100644
--- a/components/esm/objectstate.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/objectstate.hpp
@@ -28,7 +28,15 @@ namespace ESM
 
         float mTime; // Used for lights only. Overhead should not be so awful, besides CellRef isn't OO either
 
+        // Is there any class-specific state following the ObjectState
+        bool mHasCustomState;
+
+        ObjectState() : mHasCustomState(true)
+        {}
+
+        /// @note Does not load the CellRef ID, it should already be loaded before calling this method
         virtual void load (ESMReader &esm);
+
         virtual void save (ESMWriter &esm, bool inInventory = false) const;
 
         /// Initialize to default state
diff --git a/components/esm/player.cpp b/components/esm/player.cpp
index 52b44c945..70c4b79e2 100644
--- a/components/esm/player.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/player.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 void ESM::Player::load (ESMReader &esm)
 {
+    mObject.mRef.loadId(esm, true);
     mObject.load (esm);
 
     mCellId.load (esm);