diff --git a/src/d_player.h b/src/d_player.h
index d57f9e1f2..8e5f57f5f 100644
--- a/src/d_player.h
+++ b/src/d_player.h
@@ -228,9 +228,6 @@ typedef enum
 typedef enum
 {
 	// Unsynced, HUD or clientsided effects
-	// Item box
-	khud_itemblink,		// Item flashing after roulette, serves as a mashing indicator
-	khud_itemblinkmode,	// Type of flashing: 0 = white (normal), 1 = red (mashing), 2 = rainbow (enhanced items)
 
 	// Rings
 	khud_ringlock,		// Ring lock
@@ -590,6 +587,8 @@ struct player_t
 	UINT8 tripwireReboundDelay; // When failing Tripwire, brieftly lock out speed-based tripwire pass (anti-cheese)
 
 	UINT16 itemroulette;	// Used for the roulette when deciding what item to give you (was "pw_kartitem")
+	UINT16 itemblink;				// Item flashing after roulette, serves as a mashing indicator. Also prevents item from being stolen.
+	UINT16 itemblinkmode;			// Type of flashing: 0 = white (normal), 1 = red (mashing), 2 = rainbow (enhanced items)
 	UINT8 roulettetype;		// Used for the roulette, for deciding type (0 = normal, 1 = better, 2 = eggman mark)
 
 	// Item held stuff
diff --git a/src/deh_tables.c b/src/deh_tables.c
index a524e7aa8..c0f42c9e7 100644
--- a/src/deh_tables.c
+++ b/src/deh_tables.c
@@ -554,8 +554,6 @@ const char *const KARTSTUFF_LIST[] = {
 };
 
 const char *const KARTHUD_LIST[] = {
-	"ITEMBLINK",
-	"ITEMBLINKMODE",
 
 	"RINGFRAME",
 	"RINGTICS",
diff --git a/src/k_hud.c b/src/k_hud.c
index 027ada4e4..9da03988b 100644
--- a/src/k_hud.c
+++ b/src/k_hud.c
@@ -1017,11 +1017,11 @@ static void K_drawKartItem(void)
 				localpatch = kp_nodraw;
 		}
 
-		if (stplyr->karthud[khud_itemblink] && (leveltime & 1))
+		if (stplyr->itemblink && (leveltime & 1))
 		{
 			colormode = TC_BLINK;
 
-			switch (stplyr->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode])
+			switch (stplyr->itemblinkmode)
 			{
 				case 2:
 					localcolor = K_RainbowColor(leveltime);
diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index 6cc84af15..2275721c5 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -1478,8 +1478,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 	if (player->roulettetype == 2)
 	{
 		player->eggmanexplode = 4*TICRATE;
-		//player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-		//player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 1;
+		//player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+		//player->itemblinkmode = 1;
 		player->itemroulette = 0;
 		player->roulettetype = 0;
 		if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player) && !demo.freecam)
@@ -1493,8 +1493,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 	{
 		K_KartGetItemResult(player, cv_kartdebugitem.value);
 		player->itemamount = cv_kartdebugamount.value;
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 2;
+		player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+		player->itemblinkmode = 2;
 		player->itemroulette = 0;
 		player->roulettetype = 0;
 		if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player) && !demo.freecam)
@@ -1509,8 +1509,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 		SINT8 itemroll = P_RandomRange(KITEM_SNEAKER, NUMKARTITEMS - 1);
 
 		K_KartGetItemResult(player, itemroll);
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 0;
+		player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+		player->itemblinkmode = 0;
 		player->itemroulette = 0;
 		player->roulettetype = 0;
 		if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
@@ -1527,7 +1527,7 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 			if (mashed && ((K_RingsActive() == true) && (modeattacking || cv_superring.value))) // ANY mashed value? You get rings.
 			{
 				K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_SUPERRING);
-				player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 1;
+				player->itemblinkmode = 1;
 				if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
 					S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_itrolm);
 			}
@@ -1537,7 +1537,7 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 					K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_SNEAKER);
 				else  // Default to sad if nothing's enabled...
 					K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_SAD);
-				player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 0;
+				player->itemblinkmode = 0;
 				if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
 					S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_itrolf);
 			}
@@ -1547,20 +1547,20 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 			if (mashed && (bossinfo.boss || cv_banana.value) && !itembreaker) // ANY mashed value? You get a banana.
 			{
 				K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_BANANA);
-				player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 1;
+				player->itemblinkmode = 1;
 				if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
 					S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_itrolm);
 			}
 			else if (bossinfo.boss)
 			{
 				K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_ORBINAUT);
-				player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 0;
+				player->itemblinkmode = 0;
 				if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
 					S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_itrolf);
 			}
 		}
 
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
+		player->itemblink = TICRATE;
 		player->itemroulette = 0;
 		player->roulettetype = 0;
 		return;
@@ -1574,8 +1574,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 		if (P_RandomChance((debtamount*FRACUNIT)/20))
 		{
 			K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_SUPERRING);
-			player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-			player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 1;
+			player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+			player->itemblinkmode = 1;
 			player->itemroulette = 0;
 			player->roulettetype = 0;
 			if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
@@ -1593,8 +1593,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 			&& cv_selfpropelledbomb.value)
 		{
 			K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_SPB);
-			player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-			player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 2;
+			player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+			player->itemblinkmode = 2;
 			player->itemroulette = 0;
 			player->roulettetype = 0;
 			if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
@@ -1618,8 +1618,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 	if (useodds == 69)
 	{
 		K_KartGetItemResult(player, KITEM_SPB);
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 2;
+		player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+		player->itemblinkmode = 2;
 		player->itemroulette = 0;
 		player->roulettetype = 0;
 		if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
@@ -1662,8 +1662,8 @@ static void K_KartItemRoulette(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 	if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player) && !demo.freecam)
 		S_StartSound(NULL, ((player->roulettetype == 1) ? sfx_itrolk : (mashed ? sfx_itrolm : sfx_itrolf)));
 
-	player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-	player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = ((player->roulettetype == 1) ? 2 : (mashed ? 1 : 0));
+	player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+	player->itemblinkmode = ((player->roulettetype == 1) ? 2 : (mashed ? 1 : 0));
 
 	player->itemroulette = 0; // Since we're done, clear the roulette number
 	player->roulettetype = 0; // This too
@@ -5072,7 +5072,8 @@ static void K_DoHyudoroSteal(player_t *player)
 			// Has an item
 			&& (players[i].itemtype
 			&& players[i].itemamount
-			&& !(players[i].itemflags & IF_ITEMOUT)))
+			&& !(players[i].itemflags & IF_ITEMOUT)
+			&& !players[i].itemblink))
 		{
 			playerswappable[numplayers] = i;
 			numplayers++;
@@ -6619,12 +6620,6 @@ void K_KartPlayerHUDUpdate(player_t *player)
 	if (player->karthud[khud_tauntvoices])
 		player->karthud[khud_tauntvoices]--;
 
-	if (player->karthud[khud_itemblink] && player->karthud[khud_itemblink]-- <= 0)
-	{
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 0;
-		player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = 0;
-	}
-
 	if (gametype == GT_RACE)
 	{
 
@@ -7246,6 +7241,12 @@ void K_KartPlayerThink(player_t *player, ticcmd_t *cmd)
 	if (player->tiregrease > 0)
 		player->tiregrease--;;
 
+	if (player->itemblink && player->itemblink-- <= 0)
+	{
+		player->itemblinkmode = 0;
+		player->itemblink = 0;
+	}
+
 	K_UpdateTripwire(player);
 
 	K_KartPlayerHUDUpdate(player);
diff --git a/src/lua_playerlib.c b/src/lua_playerlib.c
index f1ee10811..44fcd2ea4 100644
--- a/src/lua_playerlib.c
+++ b/src/lua_playerlib.c
@@ -310,6 +310,10 @@ static int player_get(lua_State *L)
 		lua_pushinteger(L, plr->tripwireReboundDelay);
 	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemroulette"))
 		lua_pushinteger(L, plr->itemroulette);
+	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemblink"))
+		lua_pushinteger(L, plr->itemblink);
+	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemblinkmode"))
+		lua_pushinteger(L, plr->itemblinkmode);
 	else if (fastcmp(field,"roulettetype"))
 		lua_pushinteger(L, plr->roulettetype);
 	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemtype"))
@@ -725,6 +729,10 @@ static int player_set(lua_State *L)
 		plr->tripwireReboundDelay = luaL_checkinteger(L, 3);
 	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemroulette"))
 		plr->itemroulette = luaL_checkinteger(L, 3);
+	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemblink"))
+		plr->itemblink = luaL_checkinteger(L, 3);
+	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemblinkmode"))
+		plr->itemblinkmode = luaL_checkinteger(L, 3);
 	else if (fastcmp(field,"roulettetype"))
 		plr->roulettetype = luaL_checkinteger(L, 3);
 	else if (fastcmp(field,"itemtype"))
@@ -1274,10 +1282,10 @@ static int kartstuff_get(lua_State *L)
 
 		// v1.0.2+ vars
 		case k_itemblink:
-			lua_pushinteger(L, plr->karthud[khud_itemblink]);
+			lua_pushinteger(L, plr->itemblink);
 			return 1;
 		case k_itemblinkmode:
-			lua_pushinteger(L, plr->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode]);
+			lua_pushinteger(L, plr->itemblinkmode);
 			return 1;
 		case k_getsparks:
 			lua_pushinteger(L, (plr->pflags & PF_GETSPARKS));
@@ -1537,10 +1545,10 @@ static int kartstuff_set(lua_State *L)
 
 				// v1.0.2+ vars
 			case k_itemblink:
-				plr->karthud[khud_itemblink] = i;
+				plr->itemblink = i;
 				break;
 			case k_itemblinkmode:
-				plr->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = i;
+				plr->itemblinkmode = i;
 				break;
 			case k_getsparks:
 				if (i > 0)
diff --git a/src/p_inter.c b/src/p_inter.c
index 97a852b42..e208e4d7f 100644
--- a/src/p_inter.c
+++ b/src/p_inter.c
@@ -1708,8 +1708,8 @@ void P_KillMobj(mobj_t *target, mobj_t *inflictor, mobj_t *source, UINT8 damaget
 					else
 						player->itemamount = max(1, target->movecount);
 				}
-				player->karthud[khud_itemblink] = TICRATE;
-				player->karthud[khud_itemblinkmode] = 0;
+				player->itemblink = TICRATE;
+				player->itemblinkmode = 0;
 				player->itemroulette = 0;
 				player->roulettetype = 0;
 				if (P_IsDisplayPlayer(player))
diff --git a/src/p_saveg.c b/src/p_saveg.c
index 86f2b8125..09b7f7f61 100644
--- a/src/p_saveg.c
+++ b/src/p_saveg.c
@@ -285,6 +285,8 @@ static void P_NetArchivePlayers(savebuffer_t *save)
 		WRITEUINT8(save->p, players[i].tripwireReboundDelay);
 
 		WRITEUINT16(save->p, players[i].itemroulette);
+		WRITEUINT16(save->p, players[i].itemblink);
+		WRITEUINT16(save->p, players[i].itemblinkmode);
 		WRITEUINT8(save->p, players[i].roulettetype);
 
 		WRITESINT8(save->p, players[i].itemtype);
@@ -594,6 +596,8 @@ static void P_NetUnArchivePlayers(savebuffer_t *save)
 		players[i].tripwireReboundDelay = READUINT8(save->p);
 
 		players[i].itemroulette = READUINT16(save->p);
+		players[i].itemblink = READUINT16(save->p);
+		players[i].itemblinkmode = READUINT16(save->p);
 		players[i].roulettetype = READUINT8(save->p);
 
 		players[i].itemtype = READSINT8(save->p);