diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
index bd5fa1b11b..2254278299 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -1118,8 +1118,11 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         Misc::StringUtils::lowerCaseInPlace(owner.first);
 
         if (!Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(item.getCellRef().getRefId(), MWWorld::ContainerStore::sGoldId))
-            mStolenItems[Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(item.getCellRef().getRefId())][owner] += count;
-
+        {
+            const MWWorld::Ptr victimRef = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtr(ownerCellRef->getOwner(), true);
+            if (victimRef.isEmpty() || !victimRef.getClass().getCreatureStats(victimRef).isDead())
+                mStolenItems[Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(item.getCellRef().getRefId())][owner] += count;
+        }
         if (alarm)
             commitCrime(ptr, victim, OT_Theft, item.getClass().getValue(item) * count);
     }