diff --git a/common/main/fireball.h b/common/main/fireball.h
index d060ee723..558b29c15 100644
--- a/common/main/fireball.h
+++ b/common/main/fireball.h
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ extern expl_wall expl_wall_list[MAX_EXPLODING_WALLS];
 objptridx_t object_create_explosion(short segnum, vms_vector *position, fix size, int vclip_type);
 void object_create_muzzle_flash(short segnum, vms_vector *position, fix size, int vclip_type);
 
-object *object_create_badass_explosion(object *objp, short segnum,
+objptridx_t object_create_badass_explosion(object *objp, short segnum,
 		vms_vector *position, fix size, int vclip_type,
 		fix maxdamage, fix maxdistance, fix maxforce, int parent);
 
diff --git a/similar/main/fireball.cpp b/similar/main/fireball.cpp
index 272f0f3a6..a86ade403 100644
--- a/similar/main/fireball.cpp
+++ b/similar/main/fireball.cpp
@@ -276,11 +276,9 @@ objptridx_t object_create_explosion(short segnum, vms_vector * position, fix siz
 	return object_create_explosion_sub(NULL, segnum, position, size, vclip_type, 0, 0, 0, object_none );
 }
 
-object *object_create_badass_explosion(object *objp, short segnum, vms_vector * position, fix size, int vclip_type, fix maxdamage, fix maxdistance, fix maxforce, int parent )
+objptridx_t object_create_badass_explosion(object *objp, short segnum, vms_vector * position, fix size, int vclip_type, fix maxdamage, fix maxdistance, fix maxforce, int parent )
 {
-	object	*rval;
-
-	rval = object_create_explosion_sub(objp, segnum, position, size, vclip_type, maxdamage, maxdistance, maxforce, parent );
+	objptridx_t rval = object_create_explosion_sub(objp, segnum, position, size, vclip_type, maxdamage, maxdistance, maxforce, parent );
 
 	if ((objp != NULL) && (objp->type == OBJ_WEAPON))
 		create_smart_children(objp, NUM_SMART_CHILDREN);