diff --git a/src/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldGuardBlockListener.java b/src/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldGuardBlockListener.java
index cf301261..dce7401e 100644
--- a/src/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldGuardBlockListener.java
+++ b/src/com/sk89q/worldguard/bukkit/WorldGuardBlockListener.java
@@ -63,8 +63,10 @@ public void onBlockDamage(BlockDamageEvent event) {
 
         if (!plugin.itemDurability && event.getDamageLevel() == BlockDamageLevel.BROKEN) {
             ItemStack held = player.getItemInHand();
-            held.setDamage((byte)-1);
-            player.setItemInHand(held);
+            if (held.getTypeId() > 0) {
+                held.setDamage((byte)-1);
+                player.setItemInHand(held);
+            }
         }
         
         if (plugin.useRegions && event.getDamageLevel() == BlockDamageLevel.BROKEN) {