diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
index 15df907b2..dddbc2c73 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
@@ -1066,6 +1066,7 @@ void Animation::addEffect(const std::string &model, int effectId, bool loop, con
         for(size_t i = 0;i < params.mObjects.mParticles.size(); ++i)
         {
             Ogre::ParticleSystem* partSys = params.mObjects.mParticles[i];
+            sh::Factory::getInstance()._ensureMaterial(partSys->getMaterialName(), "Default");
             Ogre::MaterialPtr mat = Ogre::MaterialManager::getSingleton().getByName(partSys->getMaterialName());
             static int count = 0;
             Ogre::String materialName = "openmw/" + Ogre::StringConverter::toString(count++);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index d6ec6e810..691c7fea4 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -2086,6 +2086,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 iter->mEffectID);
 
             projectileModel = magicEffect->mBolt;
+            if (projectileModel.empty())
+                projectileModel = "VFX_DefaultBolt";
 
             static const std::string schools[] = {
                 "alteration", "conjuration", "destruction", "illusion", "mysticism", "restoration"