diff --git a/updatedshmup.p8 b/updatedshmup.p8
index 3f1390f..1e15050 100644
--- a/updatedshmup.p8
+++ b/updatedshmup.p8
@@ -129,6 +129,15 @@ function _init()
 	pal()
 end
 
+function once_next_frame(f)
+ new_events:push_back{
+  move = function()
+   f()
+   return true
+  end,
+ }
+end
+
 -- health gradients for 1..5 hp
 -- exactly, then all "more".
 hpcols_lut = csv[[36
@@ -1174,7 +1183,7 @@ blast = {
  hitship = function(self, _)
   if self.damage > 0 and not self.awaitcancel then
    self.awaitcancel = true
-   events:push_back{move = function()
+   once_next_frame(function()
     new_events:push_back{
      wait = 2,
      obj = self,
@@ -1189,8 +1198,7 @@ blast = {
     }
     self.damage = 0
     self.awaitcancel = false
-    return true
-   end}
+   end)
   end
  end
 }