diff --git a/src/Game/Systems/HealthSystem.cpp b/src/Game/Systems/HealthSystem.cpp
index 4343eeeb..a6ff96a0 100644
--- a/src/Game/Systems/HealthSystem.cpp
+++ b/src/Game/Systems/HealthSystem.cpp
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ bool HealthSystem::OnPlayerDamaged(Events::PlayerDamage& e)
     //if player has the boost from a defender, subtract the damage taken by StrengthOfEffect amount
     auto playerBoostDefenderEntity = e.Victim.FirstChildByName("BoostDefender");
     if (playerBoostDefenderEntity.Valid()) {
-        e.Damage -= (double)playerBoostDefenderEntity["BoostDefender"]["StrengthOfEffect"];
+        e.Damage -= (const double&)playerBoostDefenderEntity["BoostDefender"]["StrengthOfEffect"];
     }
-    if (health > 0) {
+    if (health > 0 && e.Damage > 0) {
         health -= e.Damage;
         if (health <= 0.0) {
             Events::PlayerDeath ePlayerDeath;