diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
index 0f5649af2..d510373ff 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
@@ -189,6 +189,9 @@ namespace MWMechanics
     void CastSpell::inflict(const MWWorld::Ptr &target, const MWWorld::Ptr &caster,
                             const ESM::EffectList &effects, ESM::RangeType range, bool reflected, bool exploded)
     {
+        if (target.getClass().isActor() && target.getClass().getCreatureStats(target).isDead())
+            return;
+
         // If none of the effects need to apply, we can early-out
         bool found = false;
         for (std::vector<ESM::ENAMstruct>::const_iterator iter (effects.mList.begin());
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.hpp
index 44402fe7b..a930442fb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.hpp
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         /// @note Auto detects if spell, ingredient or potion
         bool cast (const std::string& id);
 
+        /// @note \a target can be any type of object, not just actors.
         void inflict (const MWWorld::Ptr& target, const MWWorld::Ptr& caster,
                       const ESM::EffectList& effects, ESM::RangeType range, bool reflected=false, bool exploded=false);