diff --git a/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp b/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp
index 81799dd8d..8105b2eba 100644
--- a/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp
@@ -109,11 +109,8 @@ ExplosionAnimation::ExplosionAnimation(AbstractKart *kart,
     float t = m_kart->getKartProperties()->getExplosionInvulnerabilityTime() *
               m_kart->getPlayerDifficulty()->getExplosionInvulnerabilityTime();
     m_kart->setInvulnerableTime(t);
-    if ( UserConfigParams::m_graphical_effects )
-    {
-        m_kart->showStarEffect(t);
-    }
-
+    m_kart->showStarEffect(t);
+    
     m_kart->getAttachment()->clear();
 
  };   // ExplosionAnimation
diff --git a/src/karts/kart.cpp b/src/karts/kart.cpp
index e075e59e8..6012a0a0b 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart.cpp
@@ -1077,11 +1077,8 @@ void Kart::update(float dt)
         m_max_speed->getCurrentMaxSpeed());
 #endif
 
-    if ( UserConfigParams::m_graphical_effects )
-    {
-        // update star effect (call will do nothing if stars are not activated)
-        m_stars_effect->update(dt);
-    }
+    // update star effect (call will do nothing if stars are not activated)
+    m_stars_effect->update(dt);
 
     if(m_squash_time>=0)
     {