diff --git a/eos/effectHandlerHelpers.py b/eos/effectHandlerHelpers.py
index bfc12da5e..5e1997ce7 100644
--- a/eos/effectHandlerHelpers.py
+++ b/eos/effectHandlerHelpers.py
@@ -109,7 +109,8 @@ class HandledList(list):
         # We must flag it as modified, otherwise it not be removed from the database
         # @todo: flag_modified isn't in os x skel. need to rebuild to include
         #flag_modified(thing, "itemID")
-        thing.itemID = 0
+        if thing.isInvalid:  # see GH issue #324
+            thing.itemID = 0
         list.remove(self, thing)
 
 class HandledModuleList(HandledList):
@@ -191,6 +192,7 @@ class HandledImplantBoosterList(HandledList):
         oldObj = next((m for m in self if m.slot == thing.slot), None)
         if oldObj:
             logging.info("Slot %d occupied with %s, replacing with %s", thing.slot, oldObj.item.name, thing.item.name)
+            oldObj.itemID = 0  # hack to remove from DB. See GH issue #324
             self.remove(oldObj)
 
         HandledList.append(self, thing)