diff --git a/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp b/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp
index e96ed9f8..12caa356 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/graphics/particle_type.cpp
@@ -346,8 +346,12 @@ void ParticleSystemType::loadGame(const XmlNode *rootNode) {
 	size = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("size")->getFloatValue();
 	sizeNoEnergy = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("sizeNoEnergy")->getFloatValue();
 	speed = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("speed")->getFloatValue();
-	speedUpRelative = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("speedUpRelative")->getFloatValue();
-	speedUpConstant = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("speedUpConstant")->getFloatValue();
+	if(particleSystemTypeNode->hasAttribute("speedUpRelative")){
+		speedUpRelative = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("speedUpRelative")->getFloatValue();
+	}
+	if(particleSystemTypeNode->hasAttribute("speedUpConstant")){
+		speedUpConstant = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("speedUpConstant")->getFloatValue();
+	}
 	gravity = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("gravity")->getFloatValue();
 	emissionRate = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("emissionRate")->getFloatValue();
 	energyMax = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("energyMax")->getIntValue();
@@ -368,7 +372,6 @@ void ParticleSystemType::loadGame(const XmlNode *rootNode) {
 			children.push_back(child);
 		}
 	}
-
 	minmaxEnabled = (particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("minmaxEnabled")->getIntValue() != 0);
 	minHp = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("minHp")->getIntValue();
 	maxHp = particleSystemTypeNode->getAttribute("maxHp")->getIntValue();