diff --git a/src/eseq_ep1.cpp b/src/eseq_ep1.cpp
index d7cf6ae0f..a0e4b3a1f 100644
--- a/src/eseq_ep1.cpp
+++ b/src/eseq_ep1.cpp
@@ -336,7 +336,8 @@ int dlgX, dlgY, dlgW, dlgH;
 
     // draw the current text line up to the amount currently shown
 	  tempbuf = text[textline];
-	  tempbuf.erase(amountshown);
+	  if(amountshown < tempbuf.size())
+		  tempbuf.erase(amountshown);
     g_pGraphics->sb_font_draw( tempbuf, (dlgX+1)*8, (dlgY+1)*8);
 
     if (state==STATE_TEXTAPPEARING)
diff --git a/src/eseq_ep2.cpp b/src/eseq_ep2.cpp
index 1a61f2afc..5f4f89812 100644
--- a/src/eseq_ep2.cpp
+++ b/src/eseq_ep2.cpp
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ int cancel, lastcancelstate;
 
     // draw the text up to the amount currently shown
     tempbuf = text;
+    if(amountshown < tempbuf.size())
 	  tempbuf.erase(amountshown);
     sb_dialogbox(boxleft,boxtop,boxwidth,boxheight);
     g_pGraphics->sb_font_draw( tempbuf, (boxleft+1)*8, (boxtop+1+textline)*8);