diff --git a/src/mame/video/deco_mlc.cpp b/src/mame/video/deco_mlc.cpp
index d97042779cf..40631a9622a 100644
--- a/src/mame/video/deco_mlc.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/video/deco_mlc.cpp
@@ -426,15 +426,15 @@ void deco_mlc_state::draw_sprites(const rectangle &cliprect, int scanline, u32*
 		if (bby < 0)
 			continue;
 
-		if (bby >= full_sprite_screen_height >> 16)
-			continue;
-
 //      color = machine().rand();
 
 		int srcline = ((bby << 16) / ratio);
 
 		const int by = srcline >> 4;
 
+		if (by >= h)
+			continue;
+
 		srcline &= 0xf;
 		if (fy)
 		{