diff --git a/spec/System/TestItemMods_spec.lua b/spec/System/TestItemMods_spec.lua
index b15074c41..d60817d94 100644
--- a/spec/System/TestItemMods_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/System/TestItemMods_spec.lua
@@ -7,6 +7,40 @@ describe("TetsItemMods", function()
 		-- newBuild() takes care of resetting everything in setup()
 	end)
 
+	it("sorts defensive item stats when the best score is negative", function()
+		build.configTab.input.enemyFireDamage = "1000"
+		build.configTab:BuildModList()
+		runCallback("OnFrame")
+
+		local saferRing = new("Item", [[
+			New Item
+			Ring
+			+50% to Fire Resistance
+		]])
+		local baselineRing = new("Item", [[
+			New Item
+			Ring
+		]])
+		local itemDB = build.itemsTab.controls.uniqueDB
+		itemDB.db = { list = { baselineRing, saferRing } }
+		itemDB.sortMode = "FireTakenHit"
+		itemDB.sortDetail = {
+			stat = "FireTakenHit",
+			transform = function(value)
+				return -value
+			end
+		}
+		itemDB.sortOrder = {
+			itemDB.sortControl.STAT,
+			itemDB.sortControl.NAME
+		}
+
+		itemDB:ListBuilder()
+
+		assert.are.equals(saferRing, itemDB.list[1])
+		assert.is_true(saferRing.measuredPower < 0)
+	end)
+
 	it("Both slots mod (evasion and es mastery)", function()
 
 		build.configTab.input.customMods = "\z
diff --git a/src/Classes/ItemDBControl.lua b/src/Classes/ItemDBControl.lua
index 9de768ef6..04ed96e1c 100644
--- a/src/Classes/ItemDBControl.lua
+++ b/src/Classes/ItemDBControl.lua
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ function ItemDBClass:ListBuilder()
 		local start = GetTime()
 		local calcFunc, calcBase = self.itemsTab.build.calcsTab:GetMiscCalculator(self.build)
 		for itemIndex, item in ipairs(list) do
-			item.measuredPower = 0
+			item.measuredPower = nil
 			for slotName, slot in pairs(self.itemsTab.slots) do
 				if self.itemsTab:IsItemValidForSlot(item, slotName) and not slot.inactive and (not slot.weaponSet or slot.weaponSet == (self.itemsTab.activeItemSet.useSecondWeaponSet and 2 or 1)) then
 					local output = calcFunc(item.base.flask and { toggleFlask = item } or item.base.charm and { toggleCharm = item } or { repSlotName = slotName, repItem = item }, useFullDPS)
@@ -247,9 +247,10 @@ function ItemDBClass:ListBuilder()
 					if self.sortDetail.transform then
 						measuredPower = self.sortDetail.transform(measuredPower)
 					end
-					item.measuredPower = m_max(item.measuredPower, measuredPower)
+					item.measuredPower = item.measuredPower and m_max(item.measuredPower, measuredPower) or measuredPower
 				end
 			end
+			item.measuredPower = item.measuredPower or 0
 			local now = GetTime()
 			if now - start > 50 then
 				self.defaultText = "^7Sorting... ("..m_floor(itemIndex/#list*100).."%)"
@@ -375,4 +376,4 @@ function ItemDBClass:OnHoverKeyUp(key)
 			itemLib.wiki.openItem(item)
 		end
 	end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end