diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/Bones.java b/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/Bones.java
index eed3dbfe6..ece3972ed 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/Bones.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/Bones.java
@@ -130,7 +130,9 @@ public class Bones {
 				Bundle bundle = FileUtils.bundleFromFile(BONES_FILE);
 
 				depth = bundle.getInt( LEVEL );
-				item = (Item)bundle.get( ITEM );
+				if (depth > 0) {
+					item = (Item) bundle.get(ITEM);
+				}
 
 				return get();
 
@@ -141,7 +143,13 @@ public class Bones {
 		} else {
 			//heroes who are challenged cannot find bones
 			if (depth == Dungeon.depth && Dungeon.challenges == 0) {
-				FileUtils.deleteFile( BONES_FILE );
+				Bundle emptyBones = new Bundle();
+				emptyBones.put(LEVEL, 0);
+				try {
+					FileUtils.bundleToFile( BONES_FILE, emptyBones );
+				} catch (IOException e) {
+					ShatteredPixelDungeon.reportException(e);
+				}
 				depth = 0;
 				
 				if (item == null) return null;