diff --git a/src/field_control_avatar.c b/src/field_control_avatar.c
index 96e9173c9..b784a2ab8 100644
--- a/src/field_control_avatar.c
+++ b/src/field_control_avatar.c
@@ -565,11 +565,13 @@ static bool8 TryStartStepCountScript(u16 metatileBehavior)
 
     if (!(gPlayerAvatar.flags & PLAYER_AVATAR_FLAG_FORCED_MOVE) && !MetatileBehavior_IsForcedMovementTile(metatileBehavior))
     {
+    #if OW_POISON_DAMAGE < GEN_5
         if (UpdatePoisonStepCounter() == TRUE)
         {
             ScriptContext_SetupScript(EventScript_FieldPoison);
             return TRUE;
         }
+    #endif
         if (ShouldEggHatch())
         {
             IncrementGameStat(GAME_STAT_HATCHED_EGGS);