diff --git a/common/main/ai.h b/common/main/ai.h
index e828a3b3c..51d1eeb6d 100644
--- a/common/main/ai.h
+++ b/common/main/ai.h
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ extern void init_thief_for_level();
 extern objnum_t Buddy_objnum;
 extern int Buddy_allowed_to_talk;
 
-void start_robot_death_sequence(vobjptr_t objp);
+void start_robot_death_sequence(object &objp);
 void buddy_message_str(const char * str) __attribute_nonnull();
 void buddy_message(const char * format, ... ) __attribute_format_printf(1, 2);
 #define buddy_message(F,...)	dxx_call_printf_checked(buddy_message,buddy_message_str,(),(F),##__VA_ARGS__)
diff --git a/similar/main/ai.cpp b/similar/main/ai.cpp
index 2dc76440e..4095ffd0d 100644
--- a/similar/main/ai.cpp
+++ b/similar/main/ai.cpp
@@ -2303,12 +2303,12 @@ void init_ai_for_ship(void)
 }
 
 //	----------------------------------------------------------------------
-void start_robot_death_sequence(const vobjptr_t objp)
+void start_robot_death_sequence(object &obj)
 {
-	objp->ctype.ai_info.dying_start_time = GameTime64;
-	objp->ctype.ai_info.dying_sound_playing = 0;
-	objp->ctype.ai_info.SKIP_AI_COUNT = 0;
-
+	auto &ai_info = obj.ctype.ai_info;
+	ai_info.dying_start_time = GameTime64;
+	ai_info.dying_sound_playing = 0;
+	ai_info.SKIP_AI_COUNT = 0;
 }
 
 //	----------------------------------------------------------------------