diff --git a/src/w_wad.c b/src/w_wad.c
index 29e1ba22..dc45d869 100644
--- a/src/w_wad.c
+++ b/src/w_wad.c
@@ -860,7 +860,8 @@ INT32 W_InitMultipleFiles(char **filenames)
 	INT32 rc = 1;
 
 	// open all the files, load headers, and count lumps
-	numwadfiles = 0;
+	if (!numwadfiles)
+		numwadfiles = 0;
 
 	// will be realloced as lumps are added
 	for (; *filenames; filenames++)