diff --git a/src/mame/video/polyplay.c b/src/mame/video/polyplay.c
index 25601bf8815..9e75bee06cd 100644
--- a/src/mame/video/polyplay.c
+++ b/src/mame/video/polyplay.c
@@ -37,8 +37,9 @@ WRITE8_HANDLER( polyplay_characterram_w )
 {
 	if (polyplay_characterram[offset] != data)
 	{
+		gfx_element_mark_dirty(space->machine->gfx[1], (offset >> 3) & 0x7f);
+
 		polyplay_characterram[offset] = data;
-		gfx_element_decode(space->machine->gfx[1], (offset >> 3) & 0x7f);
 	}
 }