diff --git a/library/modules/Items.cpp b/library/modules/Items.cpp
index 1a9ca1fa6..a91ea3470 100644
--- a/library/modules/Items.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Items.cpp
@@ -2043,13 +2043,15 @@ int Items::getValue(df::item *item, df::caravan_state *caravan)
         int divisor = 1;
         auto creature = vector_get(world->raws.creatures.all, mat_type);
         if (creature) {
-            if (creature->flags.is_set(df::creature_raw_flags::VERMIN_SOIL_COLONY))
-                divisor = 10000;
-            else if (size_t(mat_subtype) < creature->caste.size())
-                divisor = creature->caste[mat_subtype]->misc.petvalue_divisor;
+            size_t caste = std::max(0, mat_subtype);
+            if (caste < creature->caste.size())
+                divisor = creature->caste[caste]->misc.petvalue_divisor;
         }
-        if (divisor > 1)
+        if (divisor > 1) {
             value /= divisor;
+            if (!value)
+                value = 1;
+        }
     }
 
     // Add in value from units contained in cages