diff --git a/src/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java b/src/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
index 3447b72..99c5411 100644
--- a/src/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
+++ b/src/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ public class GriefPrevention extends JavaPlugin
         this.config_claims_maxAccruedBlocks = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.MaxAccruedBlocks", 80000);
         this.config_claims_abandonReturnRatio = config.getDouble("GriefPrevention.Claims.AbandonReturnRatio", 1);
         this.config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadius = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.AutomaticNewPlayerClaimsRadius", 4);
-        this.config_claims_claimsExtendIntoGroundDistance = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.ExtendIntoGroundDistance", 5);
+        this.config_claims_claimsExtendIntoGroundDistance = Math.abs(config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.ExtendIntoGroundDistance", 5));
         this.config_claims_creationRequiresPermission = config.getBoolean("GriefPrevention.Claims.CreationRequiresPermission", false);
         this.config_claims_minSize = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.MinimumSize", 10);
         this.config_claims_maxDepth = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.MaximumDepth", 0);