diff --git a/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp b/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp
index 7ad9fddb2..564b366af 100644
--- a/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/explosion_animation.cpp
@@ -23,8 +23,10 @@
 #include "items/attachment.hpp"
 #include "karts/abstract_kart.hpp"
 #include "karts/kart_properties.hpp"
+#include "modes/follow_the_leader.hpp"
 #include "modes/world.hpp"
 #include "network/network_config.hpp"
+#include "race/race_manager.hpp"
 #include "tracks/track.hpp"
 
 /** A static create function that does only create an explosion if
@@ -51,6 +53,14 @@ ExplosionAnimation *ExplosionAnimation::create(AbstractKart *kart,
         return NULL;
     }
 
+    if (race_manager->isFollowMode())
+    {
+        FollowTheLeaderRace *ftl_world =
+            dynamic_cast<FollowTheLeaderRace*>(World::getWorld());
+        if(ftl_world->isLeader(kart->getWorldKartId()))
+            ftl_world->leaderHit();
+    }
+
     return new ExplosionAnimation(kart, pos, direct_hit);
 }   // create
 
diff --git a/src/modes/follow_the_leader.cpp b/src/modes/follow_the_leader.cpp
index c938e6ff7..2b00f1b2d 100644
--- a/src/modes/follow_the_leader.cpp
+++ b/src/modes/follow_the_leader.cpp
@@ -223,17 +223,12 @@ bool FollowTheLeaderRace::isRaceOver()
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** If the leader kart is hit, increase the delay to the next elimination */
-bool FollowTheLeaderRace::kartHit(int kart_id, int hitter)
+void FollowTheLeaderRace::leaderHit()
 {
-    if (kart_id == 0)
-    {
-        int countdown = getTimeTicks();
-        countdown += stk_config->time2Ticks(5.0f);
-        setTicks(countdown);
-    }
-
-    return false;
-}
+    int countdown = getTimeTicks();
+    countdown += stk_config->time2Ticks(5.0f);
+    setTicks(countdown);
+} // leaderHit
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** Called at the end of a race. Updates highscores, pauses the game, and
diff --git a/src/modes/follow_the_leader.hpp b/src/modes/follow_the_leader.hpp
index b116a0153..d80a6c265 100644
--- a/src/modes/follow_the_leader.hpp
+++ b/src/modes/follow_the_leader.hpp
@@ -54,13 +54,15 @@ public:
     virtual void init() OVERRIDE;
     virtual void terminateRace() OVERRIDE;
     virtual bool isRaceOver() OVERRIDE;
-    virtual bool kartHit(int kart_id, int hitter = -1) OVERRIDE;
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** Returns if this type of race has laps. */
     virtual bool raceHasLaps() OVERRIDE { return false; }
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** Returns if faster music should be used at the end. */
     virtual bool useFastMusicNearEnd() const OVERRIDE { return false; }
+
+    bool isLeader(int kart_id) { return (kart_id == 0); }
+    void leaderHit();
 };   // FollowTheLeader