diff --git a/src/ai.c b/src/ai.c
index 829249f..90772d1 100644
--- a/src/ai.c
+++ b/src/ai.c
@@ -613,13 +613,19 @@ static int ai_cargofree(lua_State* L) {
 }
 
 static int ai_exists(lua_State* L) {
+  Pilot* p;
+  int i;
   LLUA_MIN_ARGS(1);
 
   if(lua_isnumber(L,1)) {
-    lua_pushboolean(L, (pilot_get((unsigned int)lua_tonumber(L,1)) != NULL)?1:0);
+    i = 1;
+    p = pilot_get((unsigned int)lua_tonumber(L,1));
+    if(p == NULL) i = 0;
+    else if(pilot_isFlag(p, PILOT_DEAD)) i = 0;
+    lua_pushboolean(L, i);
     return 1;
   }
-  return 0;
+  LLUA_INVALID_PARAMETER();
 }
 
 /* Are we at max velocity? */