diff --git a/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua b/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua
index eab5a778..9f86f27d 100644
--- a/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua
@@ -602,13 +602,15 @@ end
 -- highlights all locations in the play area without metadata
 ---@param state Boolean True if highlighting should be enabled
 function highlightMissingData(state)
-  for _, obj in pairs(missingData) do
+  for i, obj in pairs(missingData) do
     if obj ~= nil then
       if state then
         obj.highlightOff("Red")
       else
         obj.highlightOn("Red")
       end
+    else
+      missingData[i] = nil
     end
   end
 end