diff --git a/src/elements/bcol.c b/src/elements/bcol.c
index 2bf89be61..de394bc72 100644
--- a/src/elements/bcol.c
+++ b/src/elements/bcol.c
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ int update_BCOL(UPDATE_FUNC_ARGS) {
 					if (parts[r>>8].ctype == PT_IRON) {
 						parts[r>>8].ctype = PT_METL;
 						kill_part(i);
+                                                return 1;
 					}
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/src/elements/coal.c b/src/elements/coal.c
index c73f49c4a..424a1a1ce 100644
--- a/src/elements/coal.c
+++ b/src/elements/coal.c
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ int update_COAL(UPDATE_FUNC_ARGS) {
 					if (parts[r>>8].ctype == PT_IRON) {
 						parts[r>>8].ctype = PT_METL;
 						kill_part(i);
+                                                return 1;
 					}
 				}
 			}