diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/util/MetaProgressObserver.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/util/MetaProgressObserver.java
index 6a719f5..0070810 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/util/MetaProgressObserver.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/util/MetaProgressObserver.java
@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ public class MetaProgressObserver implements ProgressObserver
     // documentation inherited from interface
     public void progress (int percent)
     {
-        _target.progress((int)((_accum + (percent * _elementSize)) / _totalSize));
+        if (_elementSize > 0) {
+            _target.progress((int)((_accum + (percent * _elementSize)) / _totalSize));
+        }
     }
 
     protected ProgressObserver _target;