diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index b17241488..8a2299b59 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -3550,6 +3550,11 @@ UINT16 K_GetKartFlashing(const player_t *player)
 {
 	UINT16 tics = flashingtics;
 
+	if (gametyperules & GTR_BUMPERS)
+	{
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	if (player == NULL)
 	{
 		return tics;
@@ -3559,16 +3564,6 @@ UINT16 K_GetKartFlashing(const player_t *player)
 	return tics;
 }
 
-void K_UpdateDamageFlashing(player_t *player, UINT16 tics)
-{
-	if (gametyperules & GTR_BUMPERS)
-	{
-		return;
-	}
-
-	player->flashing = tics;
-}
-
 boolean K_PlayerShrinkCheat(const player_t *player)
 {
 	return (
@@ -8396,9 +8391,9 @@ void K_KartPlayerThink(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 	if (player->spinouttimer != 0)
 	{
 		if (( player->spinouttype & KSPIN_IFRAMES ) == 0)
-			K_UpdateDamageFlashing(player, 0);
+			player->flashing = 0;
 		else
-			K_UpdateDamageFlashing(player, K_GetKartFlashing(player));
+			player->flashing = K_GetKartFlashing(player);
 	}
 
 	if (player->spinouttimer)
diff --git a/src/k_kart.h b/src/k_kart.h
index 698cec3c5..6b54f9a37 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.h
+++ b/src/k_kart.h
@@ -192,7 +192,6 @@ fixed_t K_GetKartSpeedFromStat(UINT8 kartspeed);
 fixed_t K_GetKartSpeed(const player_t *player, boolean doboostpower, boolean dorubberbanding);
 fixed_t K_GetKartAccel(const player_t *player);
 UINT16 K_GetKartFlashing(const player_t *player);
-void K_UpdateDamageFlashing(player_t *player, UINT16 tics);
 boolean K_PlayerShrinkCheat(const player_t *player);
 void K_UpdateShrinkCheat(player_t *player);
 boolean K_KartKickstart(const player_t *player);
diff --git a/src/p_inter.c b/src/p_inter.c
index 53561406c..c0001e4c8 100644
--- a/src/p_inter.c
+++ b/src/p_inter.c
@@ -3341,7 +3341,7 @@ boolean P_DamageMobj(mobj_t *target, mobj_t *inflictor, mobj_t *source, INT32 da
 			if (type != DMG_STUMBLE && type != DMG_WHUMBLE)
 			{
 				if (type != DMG_STING)
-					K_UpdateDamageFlashing(player, K_GetKartFlashing(player));
+					player->flashing = K_GetKartFlashing(player);
 
 				player->ringburst += ringburst;