diff --git a/scumm/string.cpp b/scumm/string.cpp
index 44c7222d6d2..868e252e442 100644
--- a/scumm/string.cpp
+++ b/scumm/string.cpp
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ void ScummEngine::CHARSET_1() {
 	if (getTalkingActor() != 0xFF)
 		a = derefActorSafe(getTalkingActor(), "CHARSET_1");
 
-	if (a && _string[0].overhead != 0) {
+	if (a && a->isInCurrentRoom() && _string[0].overhead != 0) {
 		if (_version <= 5) {
 			_string[0].xpos = a->_pos.x - camera._cur.x + (_screenWidth / 2);