diff --git a/src/powder.c b/src/powder.c
index f7106ed19..b3ab91b41 100644
--- a/src/powder.c
+++ b/src/powder.c
@@ -1350,12 +1350,10 @@ void update_particles_i(pixel *vid, int start, int inc)
 						if (r && parts[r>>8].tmp<=0)
 							parts[r>>8].type = PT_NONE;//using kill_part makes it not work
 					}
-				gol2[nx][ny][0] = 0;
-				for ( z = 1; z<=NGOL; z++)
-					gol2[nx][ny][z] = 0;
 			}
 		if (createdsomething)
 			GENERATION ++;
+		memset(gol2, 0, sizeof(gol2));
 	}
 	if (ISWIRE==1)
 	{