diff --git a/src/p_mobj.c b/src/p_mobj.c
index 301536ef4..99ffdc871 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.c
+++ b/src/p_mobj.c
@@ -8765,6 +8765,7 @@ mobj_t *P_SpawnMobj(fixed_t x, fixed_t y, fixed_t z, mobjtype_t type)
 			break;
 		case MT_RING:
 		case MT_COIN:
+		case MT_NIGHTSSTAR:
 			nummaprings++;
 		default:
 			break;
diff --git a/src/p_setup.c b/src/p_setup.c
index 556428cbb..17cf3bfc7 100644
--- a/src/p_setup.c
+++ b/src/p_setup.c
@@ -852,7 +852,12 @@ void P_ReloadRings(void)
 			mt->z = (INT16)(R_PointInSubsector(mt->x << FRACBITS, mt->y << FRACBITS)
 				->sector->floorheight>>FRACBITS);
 
-			P_SpawnHoopsAndRings(mt, true);
+			P_SpawnHoopsAndRings(mt,
+#ifdef MANIASPHERES
+				true);
+#else
+				!G_IsSpecialStage(gamemap)); // prevent flashing spheres in special stages
+#endif
 		}
 	}
 	for (i = 0; i < numHoops; i++)
@@ -866,6 +871,11 @@ void P_SwitchSpheresBonusMode(boolean bonustime)
 	mobj_t *mo;
 	thinker_t *th;
 
+#ifndef MANIASPHERES
+	if (G_IsSpecialStage(gamemap)) // prevent flashing spheres in special stages
+		return;
+#endif
+
 	// scan the thinkers to find spheres to switch
 	for (th = thinkercap.next; th != &thinkercap; th = th->next)
 	{
diff --git a/src/st_stuff.c b/src/st_stuff.c
index baa17e9f3..1fd6a6186 100644
--- a/src/st_stuff.c
+++ b/src/st_stuff.c
@@ -1577,11 +1577,13 @@ static void ST_drawNiGHTSHUD(void)
 #endif
 	ST_DrawTopLeftOverlayPatch(16, 8, nbracket);
 	if (G_IsSpecialStage(gamemap))
-		ST_DrawTopLeftOverlayPatch(24, 16, ((stplyr->bonustime && (leveltime & 4)) ? nssbon : nsshud));
-	else if (stplyr->bonustime)
-		ST_DrawTopLeftOverlayPatch(24, 16, nbon[(leveltime/2)%12]);
+		ST_DrawTopLeftOverlayPatch(24, 16, (
+#ifdef MANIASPHERES
+			(stplyr->bonustime && (leveltime & 4)) ? nssbon :
+#endif
+			nsshud));
 	else
-		ST_DrawTopLeftOverlayPatch(24, 16, nhud[(leveltime/2)%12]);
+		ST_DrawTopLeftOverlayPatch(24, 16, *(((stplyr->bonustime) ? nbon : nhud)+((leveltime/2)%12)));
 
 	if (G_IsSpecialStage(gamemap))
 	{