diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/potions/Potion.java b/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/potions/Potion.java
index cb6d90547..1c6c476cd 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/potions/Potion.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/potions/Potion.java
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ public class Potion extends Item {
 			setKnown();
 			//3/5 HP healed
 			Hero hero = Dungeon.hero;
-			if (hero.hasTalent(Talent.TEST_SUBJECT)) {
+			if (hero.isAlive() && hero.hasTalent(Talent.TEST_SUBJECT)) {
 				hero.HP = Math.min(hero.HP + 1 + (2 * hero.pointsInTalent(Talent.TEST_SUBJECT)), hero.HT);
 				Emitter e = hero.sprite.emitter();
 				if (e != null) e.burst(Speck.factory(Speck.HEALING), hero.pointsInTalent(Talent.TEST_SUBJECT));
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/scrolls/Scroll.java b/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/scrolls/Scroll.java
index 06383af6f..3203796a1 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/scrolls/Scroll.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/items/scrolls/Scroll.java
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ public abstract class Scroll extends Item {
 			setKnown();
 			//6/9 HP barrier
 			Hero hero = Dungeon.hero;
-			if (hero.hasTalent(Talent.TESTED_HYPOTHESIS)) {
+			if (hero.isAlive() && hero.hasTalent(Talent.TESTED_HYPOTHESIS)) {
 				Buff.affect(hero, Barrier.class).setShield(3 + (3 * hero.pointsInTalent(Talent.TESTED_HYPOTHESIS)));
 				ScrollOfRecharging.charge(hero);
 			}