diff --git a/src/common/kernel/alchemy.c b/src/common/kernel/alchemy.c
index 889b5b9e0..1b906420d 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/alchemy.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/alchemy.c
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@ use_potion(unit * u, const item_type * itype, int amount, const char * cmd)
 			holz = new_use_pooled(u, oldresourcetype[R_WOOD], 
 					GET_SLACK|GET_RESERVE|GET_POOLED_SLACK, 10*amount);
 		}
+	  if (r->land==0) holz=0;
 #if GROWING_TREES
 		rsettrees(r, 1, rtrees(r, 1) + holz);
 #else