diff --git a/sc2/ChangeLog b/sc2/ChangeLog
index c19fe89a1..f855d5d73 100644
--- a/sc2/ChangeLog
+++ b/sc2/ChangeLog
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 Changes towards version 0.7:
+- Fixed 'caster comm with Ilwrath after they die off (bug #850) - Alex
 - Fixed Syreen Vault lander report infinite loop (bug #1118) - Alex
 - Same captain names are used on both net sides (bug #989) - Alex
 - Fixed sync loss in netplay games having duplicate ships (bug #1081) - Alex
diff --git a/sc2/src/uqm/planets/devices.c b/sc2/src/uqm/planets/devices.c
index 6504847ac..927c4ca25 100644
--- a/sc2/src/uqm/planets/devices.c
+++ b/sc2/src/uqm/planets/devices.c
@@ -231,8 +231,9 @@ UseCaster (void)
 			|| !playerInSolarSystem ())
 		return FALSE;
 
-	if (pSolarSysState->pOrbitalDesc == &pSolarSysState->PlanetDesc[1]
-			&& playerInPlanetOrbit ()
+	if (playerInPlanetOrbit ()
+			&& matchWorld (pSolarSysState, pSolarSysState->pOrbitalDesc,
+				1, MATCH_PLANET)
 			&& CurStarDescPtr->Index == CHMMR_DEFINED
 			&& !GET_GAME_STATE (CHMMR_UNLEASHED))
 	{
@@ -254,8 +255,9 @@ UseCaster (void)
 		BOOLEAN FoundIlwrath;
 		HIPGROUP hGroup;
 
-		FoundIlwrath = (BOOLEAN)(CurStarDescPtr->Index == ILWRATH_DEFINED);
-				// In the Ilwrath home system?
+		FoundIlwrath = (CurStarDescPtr->Index == ILWRATH_DEFINED)
+				&& ActivateStarShip (ILWRATH_SHIP, SPHERE_TRACKING);
+				// In the Ilwrath home system and they are alive?
 
 		if (!FoundIlwrath &&
 				(hGroup = GetHeadLink (&GLOBAL (ip_group_q))))
@@ -328,8 +330,9 @@ InvokeDevice (BYTE which_device)
 				SleepThreadUntil (FadeScreen (FadeAllToWhite, ONE_SECOND * 1)
 						+ (ONE_SECOND * 2));
 				if (CurStarDescPtr->Index != CHMMR_DEFINED
-						|| pSolarSysState->pOrbitalDesc !=
-						&pSolarSysState->PlanetDesc[1])
+						|| !matchWorld (pSolarSysState,
+								pSolarSysState->pOrbitalDesc,
+								1, MATCH_PLANET))
 				{
 					FadeScreen (FadeAllToColor, ONE_SECOND * 2);
 				}