diff --git a/src/building_action.c b/src/building_action.c
index f72af4412..55a1c0b6a 100644
--- a/src/building_action.c
+++ b/src/building_action.c
@@ -106,8 +106,7 @@ static int lc_read(struct attrib *a, void *owner, gamedata *data)
     building *b = (building *)owner;
     int result = 0;
     if (data->version < ATTRIBOWNER_VERSION) {
-        result = read_reference(&b, data, read_building_reference, resolve_building);
-        assert(b == owner);
+        READ_INT(data->store, NULL);
     }
     READ_TOK(store, name, sizeof(name));
     if (strcmp(name, "tunnel_action") == 0) {