diff --git a/src/scenedit/scen.actions.cpp b/src/scenedit/scen.actions.cpp
index 91e96bd7..afe42965 100644
--- a/src/scenedit/scen.actions.cpp
+++ b/src/scenedit/scen.actions.cpp
@@ -2888,6 +2888,7 @@ void place_edit_special(location loc) {
 		bool is_new = false;
 		if(i == specials.size()){
 			specials.emplace_back(-1,-1,-1);
+			get_current_area()->specials.emplace_back();
 			is_new = true;
 		}
 		if(specials[i].spec < 0) {