diff --git a/wled00/FX.cpp b/wled00/FX.cpp
index acde24a9..dc0708a1 100644
--- a/wled00/FX.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX.cpp
@@ -4922,7 +4922,7 @@ uint16_t mode_2Dgameoflife(void) { // Written by Ewoud Wijma, inspired by https:
     } // i,j
 
     // Rules of Life
-    uint32_t col = prevLeds[XY(x,y)];
+    uint32_t col = uint32_t(prevLeds[XY(x,y)]);    // softhack007: explicit conversion added - needed with newer fastled releases    
     uint32_t bgc = RGBW32(backgroundColor.r, backgroundColor.g, backgroundColor.b, 0);
     if      ((col != bgc) && (neighbors <  2)) SEGMENT.setPixelColorXY(x,y, bgc); // Loneliness
     else if ((col != bgc) && (neighbors >  3)) SEGMENT.setPixelColorXY(x,y, bgc); // Overpopulation