diff --git a/src/iexamine.cpp b/src/iexamine.cpp
index b1ced8b7ee9ee..a5b59cf751613 100644
--- a/src/iexamine.cpp
+++ b/src/iexamine.cpp
@@ -2725,7 +2725,7 @@ void iexamine::fireplace( player &p, const tripoint &examp )
             return;
         }
         case 2: {
-            if( g->m.add_field( examp, fd_fire, 1 ) ) {
+            if( !g->m.get_field( examp, fd_fire ) && g->m.add_field( examp, fd_fire, 1 ) ) {
                 p.mod_power_level( -bio_lighter->power_activate );
                 p.mod_moves( -to_moves<int>( 1_seconds ) );
             } else {